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

Linen maxi dresses stand in for velvet gowns; fluttery cocktail dresses are replaced by floor-length options with long sleeves; the palette gets moody, rich, and inky. —Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 18 Nov. 2025

From dark and moody to light and airy, here's how to strike the perfect color balance with red and gray. —Lacey Howard, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Nov. 2025

Designed by interior designer Daniel Caudill, former creative director of Shinola, Saksey’s is sleek and moody, dimly lit with a brass bar and rich, mahogany tables. —Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 14 Nov. 2025

For a moody look choose the bronze finish, or stick to a minimalist aesthetic with the ivory option. —Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 11 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