mood

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈmüd 

1

a

: a conscious state of mind or predominant emotion : feeling

He's been in a good mood all week.

b

: the expression of state of mind or emotion especially in art or literature

2

archaic : a fit of anger : rage

3

a

: a prevailing attitude

the grim mood of the country

… the kind of mood that fostered the Salem witch trials.

—Nat Hentoff

b

: a receptive state of mind predisposing for something or some action

was not in a giving mood at the time

Are you in the mood for sushi or pizza?

Stop teasing. I'm in no mood for it.

c

: a distinctive atmosphere or context : aura

turned down the lights to create a romantic mood

… the weary city's sullen mood …

—Marilyn Stasio

The mood is quiet and sleepy, as guests pick blueberries and read by the pond …

—J. O. Nixon

mood

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: the form of a syllogism as determined by the quantity and quality of its constituent propositions

2

: distinction of form or a particular set of inflectional forms of a verb to express whether the action or state it denotes is conceived as fact or in some other manner (such as command, possibility, or wish)

3

: mode sense 4b

Synonyms of mood

Noun (1)

• spirit
• mode

Examples of mood in a Sentence

Noun (1)

losing my favorite sweater left me in a bad mood for the rest of the day

there's a haunting mood of melancholy about the ruined old castle

in his mood, the king spared no one his venomous tongue

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That volatility mirrors the album’s overall mood and thematic POV; TOY COLLAGES feels like one big, bad trip, Dean careening through the existential delusions of those around them before turning toward their own. — Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026

And because every rooftop table eventually wants something casual, the beef sliders, Thai chicken kabobs, and salmon tartare give the menu enough range to work for a group that cannot agree on one mood. — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026

Nightlife Ginger Rabbit Owned by chef BJ Lieberman, this 21-plus jazz lounge pairs live music with classic cocktails in a subterranean space that prioritizes mood over virtuosity. — Rafael Pena, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026

And the Royals, unfortunately, were in a giving mood Friday night. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English mōd; akin to Old High German muot mood

Noun (2)

alteration of mode entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

1569, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mood

• in the mood
• mood board
• mood disorder
• mood music
• mood stabiliser
• mood stabilizer
• mood swing
• the mood takes someone

Rhymes for mood

• blued
• booed
• brewed
• brood
• chewed
• cooed
• coude
• crude
• cued
• dude
• feud
• food

Kids Definition

mood

1 of 2 noun

ˈmüd 

1

: an emotional state of mind or feeling

also : the feeling expressed in a work of art or literature

2

: a dominant attitude or spirit

the mood of the country was optimistic

3

: a distinctive atmosphere or context

the dark mood of the movie

mood

2 of 2 noun

: a set of forms of a verb that show whether the action or state expressed is to be thought of as a fact, a command, or a wish or possibility

Etymology

Noun

Old English mōd "a state of mind"

Noun

an altered form of mode

Medical Definition

mood

noun

ˈmüd 

: a conscious state of mind or predominant emotion : affective state : feeling sense 3