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

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

Compare this with a similarly arresting later sequence, set deep within a magnificently mossy forest, where a band of hunters, led by Sung-ki (Zo In-sung, full of rascally charisma), do battle with Va’migere’s alien friends. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Its mossy olive tone adds depth to the walls, while the earthy brown undertones bring warmth. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Aug. 2026

Behr’s 2027 Color of the Year, Grounded, is a mossy olive green inspired by nature’s calming influence. — Kate McKenna, The Spruce, 26 Aug. 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