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 setting of Cahokia, with the Mississippi River running through the city, fog lifting from the surface to meld with the heat and smoke of early industrialization, is appropriately moody. — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Nattiv plays this true-life story out like a thriller—his film is moody and tense—but what gives the proceedings undeniable force is Carrie Coon’s performance as Rita Cooper. — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026

Celebrity hairstylist Irinel de León gave her followers a first glimpse at Bieber’s brand new look, showing off the moody new hair color and haircut in a post shared on Friday. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 19 Sep. 2026

His exhibition of some of its contents at Palo, in the East Village, keeps the focus of our attention on his black-and-white photographs, which hold it with a sense of ease that never undermines their moody soulfulness. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

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