moody

adjective

ˈmü-dē 

moodier; moodiest

1

: subject to depression : gloomy

is often moody in the winter

2

: subject to moods : temperamental

moody teenagers

3

: expressive of a mood

a moody painting/ballad/film

moodily

ˈmü-də-lē 

adverb

moodiness

ˈmü-dē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of moody

• volatile
• impulsive
• changeful
• irritable
• unstable
• temperamental

Examples of moody in a Sentence

I don't know why I get so moody sometimes.

She's a moody woman—she can be happy one minute and angry the next.

The room's moody lighting suggested mystery and romance.

Recent Examples on the Web

With just one full month of summer left, now’s the time to lean into the season’s boldest manicure trends before fall’s moodier color palette takes over. — Odeya Pinkus, InStyle, 19 July 2026

The vampire saved the show from imminent cancelation, prompting a spike in ratings and a new direction away from a moody Jane Eyre-like gothic romance style to outright supernatural (if unintentionally campy) horror. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 July 2026

This is a moody, weird, haunting, often beautiful film, punctuated by sudden violence and horror. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

The moody Moon in your 4th House of Home squares combative Mars in your 1st House of Identity, stirring tension between private emotions and personal pride. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for moody

• broody
• buddhi
• judy

Kids Definition

moody

adjective

ˈmüd-ē 

moodier; moodiest

1

: frequently influenced by moods

especially : affected by changeable and gloomy moods or bad temper

2

: expressing a mood

a moody face

moodily

ˈmüd-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

moodiness

ˈmüd-ē-nəs 

noun

Biographical Definition

Moody

biographical name

Moo·​dy ˈmü-dē 

Dwight Lyman 1837–1899 American evangelist