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

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

Call ahead before dropping off large amounts or unusual items, and never donate anything moldy, wet or contaminated. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2026

Bob Blumenfield would like to see Angelenos’ old banana peels and moldy bread stay local. — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026

Its arrival is announced by close-ups of barnacles, of rusty edges on ancient metal, of curious plant growth and moldy, tangled coils of black rope, as if its return was just part of a broader natural order. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 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