moldy

adjective

ˈmōl-dē 

moldier; moldiest

1

: of, resembling, or covered with mold

2

a

: being old and moldering : crumbling

b

: antiquated, fusty

moldy tradition

moldiness noun

Examples of moldy in a Sentence

Her books became moldy after being left in a damp basement.

The wine had a slightly moldy aroma.

Recent Examples on the Web

These pests are often found in moldy foods or foods with a high moisture content. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025

Watching the 2025 Brewers look unstoppable while his Cubs struggle to score runs has been harder to digest than moldy cheese curds. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025

The other chairs are occupied by large, moldy dolls. —Tom Gliatto, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Tamra replies, which is kind of like comparing rotten apples with moldy oranges, but fine, logic is not required here. —Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for moldy

• mouldy
• soldi

Kids Definition

moldy

adjective

ˈmōl-dē 

moldier; moldiest

: resembling, containing, or covered with mold

moldiness noun

Medical Definition

moldy

adjective

variants or chiefly British mouldy

ˈmōl-dē 

moldier or chiefly British mouldier; mouldiest

: covered with a mold-producing fungus

moldy bread