mildew

noun

mil·dew | \ ˈmil-ˌdü

, -ˌdyü\

Definition of mildew

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a superficial usually whitish growth produced especially on organic matter or living plants by fungi (as of the families Erysiphaceae and Peronosporaceae)

b : a fungus producing mildew

2 : a discoloration caused by fungi

mildew

verb

mildewed; mildewing; mildews

Definition of mildew (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to affect with or as if with mildew

intransitive verb

: to become affected with mildew

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Examples of mildew in a Sentence

Noun

The basement's damp walls were covered with mildew.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The brand claims the PEVA lining is mold- and mildew-resistant. — Lexie Sachs, Good Housekeeping, "This $7 Shower Cap Is My Favorite Amazon Find," 1 Feb. 2019 The liner is also non-toxic, odorless, and mildew and mold resistant. — Maya Mcdowell, House Beautiful, "This Shower Curtain Liner Holds Your Device Up While You Shampoo," 24 Jan. 2019 Along with that, it's designed to fight one of the biggest problems among shower-curtain liners: mildew. — Brittney Morgan, House Beautiful, "This Is The Best-Selling Shower Curtain Liner on Amazon, And It’s Only $10," 16 Jan. 2019 Finally, since the whole thing is made from nylon mesh and there's a drainage hole in the bottom, your things will stay mildew-free. — Maria Cassano, Allure, "The 15 Best Shower Organizers You Can Get Online Right Now," 5 Aug. 2018 White vinegar is also a good option if mildew or mold is present on your shower doors. — Stacy Argo, Houston Chronicle, "GHBA Remodelers Council: Care for your glass shower doors, enclosures," 22 Feb. 2018 Avoid mildew by harvesting on a dry, sunny day after the dew has dried but before the sun is blazing. — Therese Ciesinski, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Lavender Anywhere — Even Indoors," 9 Aug. 2018 Nanclares stuck to his small, organic ways—a challenge in a climate subject to extreme temperature swings and high humidity, where grapes are prone to mildew and disease. — Tom Downey, WSJ, "A Spanish Food and Wine Region Comes Alive Again," 6 Dec. 2018 This air cleaner includes a true HEPA filter, UV-C light to kill germs, and an antimicrobial agent that is added to the filter to inhibit the growth of mold and mildew on the filter itself. — Timothy Dahl, Popular Mechanics, "The Best Air Purifier for a Breath of Fresh Air," 16 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The Issue: Mildew If the grout is mildewed or badly stained, mix a 50/50 solution of oxygen bleach and water, and apply it with a sponge or pump-up sprayer. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Clean Dirty Grout," 5 Dec. 2018 Residents have reported sagging porches, mildewing wood and leaky roofs. — Fox News, "Brad Pitt's foundation facing lawsuit over degradation of New Orleans homes," 30 Aug. 2018 Of course, that is a gift that expires, one that quickly mildews into a curse. — Richard Lawson, Vanities, "Chloë Grace Moretz and Brooklyn Beckham’s Reunion Proves Young Love Is Complicated," 9 Oct. 2017 Of course, that is a gift that expires, one that quickly mildews into a curse. — Richard Lawson, vanityfair.com, "Chloë Grace Moretz and Brooklyn Beckham’s Reunion Proves Young Love Is Complicated," 9 Oct. 2017 On a recent day, the inside walls of the home were mildewed and the clothes still in the closet were showing spots. — Mimi Whitefield, miamiherald, "Cuban fishing village made famous by Hemingway busy with recovery efforts after Irma," 5 Oct. 2017 The piles up and down this street, and along many other nearby streets — shards of wallboard and mildewing carpet, artificial flowers and computer monitors — stand taller than some people. — Alan Blinder, The Seattle Times, "Hauling away Harvey’s debris an enormous, urgent task," 6 Sep. 2017 The piles up and down this street, and along many other nearby streets — shards of wallboard and mildewing carpet, artificial flowers and computer monitors — stand taller than some people. — John Schwartz And Alan Blinder, New York Times, "An Enormous, Urgent Task: Hauling Away Harvey’s Debris," 6 Sep. 2017 For the past 20 years, my husband, Alex, and I—West Coast transplants and die-hard beach people—have spent a ridiculous amount of money to rent a mildewing summer house on the tip of Long Island. — Rebecca Misner, CNT, "For the Ultimate Mediterranean Sailing Trip, Ditch the Captain and Crew," 20 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mildew.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

13 Mar 2019

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Time Traveler for mildew

The first known use of mildew was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for mildew

mildew

noun

English Language Learners Definition of mildew

: a usually white substance that grows on the surface of things in wet, warm conditions

See the full definition for mildew in the English Language Learners Dictionary

mildew

noun

mil·dew | \ ˈmil-ˌdü

, -ˌdyü\

Kids Definition of mildew

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a thin whitish growth produced by a fungus especially on decaying material or on living plants

2 : a fungus producing mildew

mildew

verb

mildewed; mildewing

Kids Definition of mildew (Entry 2 of 2)

: to become affected with mildew

mildew

noun

mil·dew | \ ˈmil-ˌd(y)ü

Medical Definition of mildew

1 : a superficial usually whitish growth produced especially on organic matter or living plants by fungi (as of the families Erysiphaceae and Peronosporaceae)

2 : a fungus producing mildew