moodier; moodiest
1
: subject to depression : gloomy
2
: subject to moods : temperamental
3
: expressive of a mood
moodily adverb
moodiness noun

Examples of moody in a Sentence

I don't know why I get so moody sometimes. She's a moody woman—she can be happy one minute and angry the next. The room's moody lighting suggested mystery and romance.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
He’s already hit puberty and can be as moody as your average teen. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025 Muted beige and gray are the dominant shades, but darker tones are also sprinkled throughout, like in the grandson’s moody black suite. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 1 July 2025 The pool area, offset with striped cabana deck chairs, is just waiting to be posted to the grid, while other communal areas like the dining room (with its dark, moody palette) and European-leaning terrace share the same elegant design sensibilities. Karla Pope, Architectural Digest, 19 June 2025 That morning, the Times Magazine had published an interview with him, accompanied by a moody black-and-white portrait. Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for moody

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of moody was in 1593

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Cite this Entry

“Moody.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moody. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

moody

adjective
moodier; moodiest
1
: frequently influenced by moods
especially : affected by changeable and gloomy moods or bad temper
2
: expressing a mood
a moody face
moodily adverb
moodiness noun

Biographical Definition

Moody

biographical name

Moo·​dy ˈmü-dē How to pronounce Moody (audio)
Dwight Lyman 1837–1899 American evangelist

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