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

Storing towels in the bathroom can lead them to become mildewy or moldy, due to the high humidity. —Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 11 Mar. 2026

The child was briefly removed from the couple’s home after Ucman’s aunt found their apartment in a squalid condition, with trash, moldy food, insects and pet feces strewn throughout. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026

Pantries No, this isn’t about moldy bread. —Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026

From moldy squash to particles in ice, health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas found numerous violations at Kansas City-area restaurants last week. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 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