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mil·dew | \ ˈmil-ˌdü 
, -ˌdyü \
, -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
verbmildewed; mildewing; mildews
Definition of mildew (Entry 2 of 2)
: to affect with or as if with mildew
: to become affected with mildew
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Other Words from mildew
Noun
mildewy \ ˈmil-ˌdü-ē , -ˌdyü- \ adjective
, -ˌdyü- \ adjectiveExamples of mildew in a Sentence
Noun
The basement's damp walls were covered with mildew.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun This will keep it dry and free from any excess mildew or mold.
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Country Living, "How to Clean a Washing Machine the Right Way," 22 Nov. 2019 At a winery in the Finger Lakes region of New York, the vines were sprayed with mildew-killing chemicals.
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Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, "How Natural Wine Became a Symbol of Virtuous Consumption," 18 Nov. 2019 Those change-of-occupancy walkthroughs found mold and mildew at Randolph.
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Sig Christenson, ExpressNews.com, "Air Force found mold, pests in 10 percent of Randolph’s privately-managed housing," 15 Nov. 2019 Black smears on surfaces, which looks like mildew but is actually bed bug excrement, are one sign of an infestation.
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Julie Washington, cleveland, "Bed bugs don’t transmit disease, but still cause stress: say local conference leaders," 4 Nov. 2019 The house contained 2 feet of mildew and bright yellow mold mushrooms were also found on the property.
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Savannah Mehrtens, Houston Chronicle, "Flood-prone homeowners seek help from FEMA to elevate house," 17 Oct. 2019 But the stench of mildew engulfed the kitchen, glass was missing from windows, and instead of a ceiling, there was only a skeletal wooden frame.
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BostonGlobe.com, "The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 1.2 million Americans live in coastal areas at risk of significant damage from hurricanes. The increased frequency and severity of such disasters have given rise to a new recovery-and-reconstruction workforce.," 6 Oct. 2019 If the fruits have any of the mildew wash them well.
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oregonlive.com, "Ask an Expert: Get the right planting mix for healthy blueberries," 19 July 2019 Mold and mildew issues shared strong similarities at every base.
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Sig Christenson, ExpressNews.com, "Almost one-third of dorm rooms at Joint Base San Antonio had mold, mildew," 17 Aug. 2019 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.
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Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Clean Dirty Grout," 5 Dec. 2018 Residents have reported sagging porches, mildewing wood and leaky roofs.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Rebecca Misner, CNT, "For the Ultimate Mediterranean Sailing Trip, Ditch the Captain and Crew," 20 July 2017
See MoreThese 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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More Definitions for mildew
mildew
nounEnglish 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
nounmil·dew | \ ˈmil-ˌdü , -ˌdyü \
, -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
verbmildewed; mildewing
Kids Definition of mildew (Entry 2 of 2)
: to become affected with mildew
mildew
nounmil·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
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Time Traveler for mildew
The first known use of mildew was in the 14th century
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