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

Sophie, who added some additional shine with a Chopard diamond circle pendant necklace, bent royal beauty protocol with a moody dark brown manicure that served as an unofficial harbinger for fall. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 19 Aug. 2026

Drop in on weekends, when live music makes the moody space feel especially vibey. — Lila Harron Battis, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026

The newest collection from the Better Homes & Gardens collection at Walmart is the perfect way to incorporate moody colors and floral patterns into your dishware collection. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2026

The group, which also includes Bret Domrose and Robert Mailhouse, offered a moody rendition of the rock number, off their 2026 LP All in Now. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 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