mold

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈmōld

plural molds

Synonyms of mold next

: 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

: a molded object

: prototype

: a fixed pattern : design

obsolete : an example to be followed

: distinctive nature or character : type

: the frame on or around which an object is constructed

: molding

mold

2 of 5

verb (1)

molded; molding; molds

transitive verb

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

: to form in a mold

mold candles

: to determine or influence the quality or nature of

mold public opinion

: to give shape to

the wind molds the waves

: to fit the contours of

fitted skirts that mold the hips

: to ornament with molding or carving

molded picture frames

moldable

ˈmōl-də-bəl

adjective

mold

3 of 5

noun (2)

plural molds

: 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)

: 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

: crumbling soft friable earth suited to plant growth : soil

especially : soil rich in humus compare leaf mold

dialectal British

: the surface of the earth : ground

: the earth of the burying ground

archaic : earth that is the substance of the human body

Be merciful, great Duke, to men of mold.—

William Shakespeare

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The cup and band material feels silky smooth against the skin, and the cups molded perfectly to our shape across a variety of test sizes. —

Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 16 May 2023 The city’s Central South University churns out the graduates who are advancing the technology, much as Stanford University molded the careers of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs who pioneered microchips. —

Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2023 The British establishment — including its nobles and priests, as well as the BBC — wielded exclusive control of the monochrome footage that would mold a generation’s memory of the event. —

Alan Cowell, New York Times, 2 May 2023 Bond himself only appears in the occasional flashback, but the other Double 0 agents have all self-consciously molded themselves in his image. —

Anna Pitoniak, Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2023 Its line of aesthetic descent is more Tamagotchi than tech dystopia, with a brightly colored white-and-orange case molded to fit your palm. —

IEEE Spectrum, 26 Apr. 2023 The supple upper will mold to your feet like warm butter while the foam midsole cradles them like a sleeping baby. —

Brad Lanphear, menshealth.com, 23 Apr. 2023 The black treatment extends to its fender flares and traces the lower body molding to the rear bumper. —

Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 21 Apr. 2023 Its memory foam material allowed for the mat to mold around our feet, providing firm support and cloudlike cushion. —

Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2023

Noun

Besides making the home more comfortable, proper humidity levels keep mold and mildew from thriving. —

Dan Diclerico, goodhousekeeping.com, 18 May 2023 The three-in-one air purifier is complete with a HEPA filter that traps up to 99.97 percent of allergens like germs, dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores as small as 0.3 microns. —

Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 7 May 2023 The soles are breathable and mold to your feet for the perfect fit. —

Todd Plummer, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2023 Seasonal allergies are usually a result of the body's response to airborne pollutants like pollen and mold which are more prevalent during the blooming season in spring, per The Wall Street Journal. —

Devika Rao, The Week, 27 Apr. 2023 Line each tartlet mold with a filo square, pressing the filo down firmly onto the base. —

Sophie Dweck, townandcountrymag.com, 24 Apr. 2023 His personal politics are much closer to an establishment Republican in the mold of Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader whom Mr. Ailes worked for as a media consultant decades ago. —

Jeremy W. Peters, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2023 After washing the deck, treat the wood with a mold deterrent spray, then allow the deck to dry before moving on to the next step. —

Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2023 Target's shoe deals include hundreds of styles up to 20 percent off, and prices start at just $8. Affordable, stylish, and supportive sandals include slides that mold to your feet, braided and criss-cross options, easy-to-walk-in platforms and wedges, and much more. —

Lauren Fischer, Peoplemag, 11 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mold.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of mold was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Mold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mold. Accessed 1 Jun. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

mold

1 of 5 noun

ˈmōld

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

mold

2 of 5 noun

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

a candle mold

: something shaped in a mold

a mold of gelatin

mold

3 of 5 verb

: to work and press into shape

mold loaves of bread

: to form in a mold

: 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

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

: a fungus that produces mold

Etymology

Noun

Old English molde "rich soil"

Noun

Middle English mold "special nature of something, frame on which something is formed," from early French molde (same meaning), from Latin modulus "form, measure"

Verb

Middle English moulen "to become moldy"