moody

adjective

ˈmü-dē 

moodier; moodiest

1

: subject to depression : gloomy

is often moody in the winter

2

: subject to moods : temperamental

moody teenagers

3

: expressive of a mood

a moody painting/ballad/film

moodily

ˈmü-də-lē 

adverb

moodiness

ˈmü-dē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of moody

• volatile
• impulsive
• changeful
• irritable
• unstable
• temperamental

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

The property broadens its inspiration to bring in a wider array of design influences, incorporating Noguchi lamps, Mario Bellini leather sofas, and Roger Capron coffee tables, all set against a moody palette of chocolate brown and forest green. —Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2025

Red wine may seem the obvious choice, but consider embracing white wine’s moodier alter ego. —Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Nov. 2025

The sets were worth the wait, moody and alluring and brimming with scandalous modern art and sour colors chosen to make the English Heritage building regulators faint. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2025

The moody matte color popped against her vibrant fashion, bringing out the bubblegum-colored blush on her cheeks. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 20 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for moody

• broody
• buddhi
• judy

Kids Definition

moody

adjective

ˈmüd-ē 

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

ˈmüd-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

moodiness

ˈmüd-ē-nəs 

noun

Biographical Definition

Moody

biographical name

Moo·​dy ˈmü-dē 

Dwight Lyman 1837–1899 American evangelist