mold

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈmōld 

plural molds

1

a

: a cavity in which a substance is shaped: such as

(1)

: a matrix for casting metal

a bullet mold

(2)

: a form in which food is given a decorative shape

b

: a molded object

2

a

: prototype

b

: a fixed pattern : design

c

obsolete : an example to be followed

3

: distinctive nature or character : type

4

: the frame on or around which an object is constructed

5

: molding

mold

2 of 5

verb (1)

molded; molding; molds

transitive verb

1

: to knead or work (a material, such as dough or clay) into a desired consistency or shape

2

: to form in a mold

mold candles

3

: to determine or influence the quality or nature of

mold public opinion

4

: to give shape to

the wind molds the waves

5

: to fit the contours of

fitted skirts that mold the hips

6

: to ornament with molding or carving

molded picture frames

moldable

ˈmōl-də-bəl 

adjective

mold

3 of 5

noun (2)

plural molds

1

: a superficial often woolly growth produced especially on damp or decaying organic matter or on living organisms by a fungus (as of the order Mucorales)

2

: a fungus that produces mold

mold

4 of 5

verb (2)

molded; molding; molds

intransitive verb

: to become moldy

mold

5 of 5

noun (3)

plural molds

1

: crumbling soft friable earth suited to plant growth : soil

especially : soil rich in humus compare leaf mold

2

dialectal British

a

: the surface of the earth : ground

b

: the earth of the burying ground

3

archaic : earth that is the substance of the human body

Be merciful, great Duke, to men of mold.

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms

Verb (2)

• break down
• corrupt
• decay
• decompose
• disintegrate
• fester
• foul
• molder
• perish [chiefly British]
• putrefy
• rot
• spoil

Noun (3)

• clod
• dirt
• earth
• ground
• soil

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French molde, alteration of Old French modle, from Latin modulus, diminutive of modus measure — more at mete

Noun (2)

Middle English mowlde, perhaps alteration of mowle, from moulen to grow moldy, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Danish mul mold

Noun (3)

Middle English, from Old English molde; akin to Old High German molta soil, Latin molere to grind — more at meal

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1530, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mold

• blue mold
• break the mold
• leaf mold
• (cast) in the same mold as
• fit (into/in) the mold of
• green mold
• sooty mold
• water mold
• pre-mold
• bread mold
• slime mold
• They broke the mold

See More

• blue mold
• break the mold
• leaf mold
• (cast) in the same mold as
• fit (into/in) the mold of
• green mold
• sooty mold
• water mold
• pre-mold
• bread mold
• slime mold
• They broke the mold

See More

Kids Definition

mold

1 of 5 noun

ˈmōld 

: light rich crumbly earth that contains decaying matter (as leaves)

mold

2 of 5 noun

1

: the frame on, around, or in which something is constructed or shaped

a candle mold

2

: something shaped in a mold

a mold of gelatin

mold

3 of 5 verb

1

: to work and press into shape

mold loaves of bread

2

: to form in a mold

3

: to determine or influence the character of

mold a child's mind

moldable

ˈmōl-də-bəl 

adjective

molder noun

mold

4 of 5 verb

: to become moldy

mold

5 of 5 noun

1

: an often fuzzy surface growth of fungus especially on damp or decaying matter

2

: a fungus that produces mold

Medical Definition

mold

1 of 4 noun

variants or chiefly British mould

ˈmōld 

: a cavity in which a fluid or malleable substance is shaped

mold

2 of 4 transitive verb

variants or chiefly British mould

: to give shape to especially in a mold

mold

3 of 4 intransitive verb

variants or chiefly British mould

: to become moldy

mold

4 of 4 noun

variants or chiefly British mould

1

: a superficial often woolly growth produced by a fungus especially on damp or decaying organic matter or on living organisms

2

: a fungus (as of the order Mucorales) that produces mold

Geographical Definition

Mold

geographical name

ˈmōld 

town in northeastern Wales south-southwest of Liverpool, England population 10,000