moldy

adjective

ˈmōl-dē 

moldier; moldiest

1

: of, resembling, or covered with mold

2

a

: being old and moldering : crumbling

b

: antiquated, fusty

moldy tradition

moldiness noun

Examples of moldy in a Sentence

Her books became moldy after being left in a damp basement.

The wine had a slightly moldy aroma.

Recent Examples on the Web

But all of that can go right out the window with improper storage, turning your treasured cheese into a dried-out or moldy disappointment. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 30 June 2026

Depending on the tavern, the food could vary from moldy cheese, soup and corn cakes to more luxurious options. — Ava Berger, NPR, 28 June 2026

To clean these surfaces, fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and liberally spray the moldy areas. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 28 June 2026

Chain restaurants, moldy cutting boards, sewage backups and the usual vermin fill this week’s list restaurants failing inspection in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Florida Keys. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for moldy

• mouldy
• soldi

Kids Definition

moldy

adjective

ˈmōl-dē 

moldier; moldiest

: resembling, containing, or covered with mold

moldiness noun

Medical Definition

moldy

adjective

variants or chiefly British mouldy

ˈmōl-dē 

moldier or chiefly British mouldier; mouldiest

: covered with a mold-producing fungus

moldy bread