1
a
: a conscious state of mind or predominant emotion : feeling
He's been in a good mood all week.
b
: the expression of state of mind or emotion especially in art or literature
2
archaic
: a fit of anger : rage
3
a
: a prevailing attitude
the grim mood of the country
… the kind of mood that fostered the Salem witch trials.—
Nat Hentoff
Nat Hentoff
b
: a receptive state of mind predisposing for something or some action
was not in a giving mood at the time
Are you in the mood for sushi or pizza?
Stop teasing. I'm in no mood for it.
c
: a distinctive atmosphere or context : aura
turned down the lights to create a romantic mood
… the weary city's sullen mood …—Marilyn Stasio
Marilyn StasioThe mood is quiet and sleepy, as guests pick blueberries and read by the pond …—J. O. Nixon
J. O. Nixon1
: the form of a syllogism as determined by the quantity and quality of its constituent propositions
2
: distinction of form or a particular set of inflectional forms of a verb to express whether the action or state it denotes is conceived as fact or in some other manner (such as command, possibility, or wish)
3
Examples of mood in a Sentence
Noun (1)
losing my favorite sweater left me in a bad mood for the rest of the day
there's a haunting mood of melancholy about the ruined old castle
in his mood, the king spared no one his venomous tongue
Recent Examples on the Web
Jennifer Moss, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
The publication's covers have captured history and the public mood that defines it — like the famous September 2001 issue's cover, which simply featured the black outline of the Twin Towers against a dark sky.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
The mood toggles between high comedy and dark drama with slippery ease until the story reaches its unforgettable conclusion.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2025
As women move through their 40s and early 50s, changes in estrogen can affect sleep, mood, focus, and emotional regulation.
—Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mood
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Noun
Even simple gestures like dropping a warm drink off to a friend or sincerely thanking a retail worker can boost mood and increase feelings of social connection.
—Jennifer Moss, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
The publication's covers have captured history and the public mood that defines it — like the famous September 2001 issue's cover, which simply featured the black outline of the Twin Towers against a dark sky.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
The mood toggles between high comedy and dark drama with slippery ease until the story reaches its unforgettable conclusion.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2025
As women move through their 40s and early 50s, changes in estrogen can affect sleep, mood, focus, and emotional regulation.
—Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mood
Cite this Entry
“Mood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mood. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mood
1 of 2 noun1
: an emotional state of mind or feeling
also
: the feeling expressed in a work of art or literature
2
: a dominant attitude or spirit
the mood of the country was optimistic
3
: a distinctive atmosphere or context
the dark mood of the movie
mood
2 of 2 noun
: a set of forms of a verb that show whether the action or state expressed is to be thought of as a fact, a command, or a wish or possibility
Etymology
Noun
Old English mōd "a state of mind"
Noun
an altered form of mode
Medical Definition
mood
noun
: a conscious state of mind or predominant emotion : affective state : feeling sense 3
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