mossy

adjective

ˈmȯ-sē 

mossier; mossiest

1

: resembling moss

2

: covered with moss or something like moss

3

: antiquated

… the mossy precepts of the eighteenth-century prescriptive grammarians …

—Thomas Pyles

Synonyms of mossy

• archaic
• obsolete
• antiquated
• medieval
• rusty
• prehistoric

Examples of mossy in a Sentence

mossy rules of etiquette that date from the Victorian era

Recent Examples on the Web

Le Labo’s Amsterdam City Exclusive has an earthy, mossy quality, but cinnamon and pink pepper cut through with just enough brightness and spice to keep it feeling fresh. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026

Starting at Massie Gap at Grayson Highlands State Park, the nine-mile round-trip hike winds across open highland meadows, past grazing ponies, and into a mossy spruce-fir forest ecosystem. — Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026

The shots are set against the backdrop of natural landscapes — all mossy trees, lakes, lush lawns, and a white horse making its way into the frame. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

Herbal, earthy, mossy, smoky, and witchy fragrances are exactly what the doctor ordered this fall and may be the perfect way to indulge in the practice. — Loren Savini, Allure, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mossy

• mossy zinc

Rhymes for mossy

• aussie
• basi
• bossy
• fossae
• glossy
• khasi
• lossy
• masi
• posse
• quasi
• saucy
• bagasse