Mold — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈmōld/

Meaning & Definition of Mold

Mold (noun)

  1. a cavity in which a substance is shaped
  2. a matrix for casting metal
  3. a form in which food is given a decorative shape
  4. a superficial often woolly growth produced especially on damp or decaying organic matter or on living organisms by a fungus (as of the order Mucorales)
  5. a fungus that produces mold
  6. crumbling soft friable earth suited to plant growth, soil; especially, soil rich in humus
  7. the surface of the earth, ground
  8. the earth of the burying ground

Mold (verb)

  1. to knead or work (a material, such as dough or clay) into a desired consistency or shape
  2. to form in a mold
  3. to determine or influence the quality or nature of
  4. to become moldy

Mold (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the loose surface material in which plants naturally grow

    "mold so rich that just about anything will grow in it"

    similar: clod, dirt, earth, ground, soil
    related: blackland, clay, gault (chiefly British), gley, guck, gumbo, kaolin, muck, mud, dust, gravel, sand, humus, loam, topsoil, alluvium, colluvium, detritus, loess, marl, sediment, shingle, silt, duff, mull, subsoil, substratum

Mold (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to go through decomposition

    "plants molding in the abandoned garden"

    similar: break down, corrupt, decay, decompose, disintegrate, fester, foul, molder, perish (chiefly British), putrefy, rot, spoil, fall apart, go to seed
    related: sour, turn, turn off (British), contaminate, defile, pollute, taint, addle, curdle, ferment, mortify, rust, crumble, decline, degenerate, descend, deteriorate, dilapidate, sink, wither
    near: age, develop, grow, mature, ripen, refresh, renew, restore, cleanse, purify, assemble, compose, integrate, ameliorate, better, improve, meliorate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Mold

The most common words with a similar meaning to Mold:

Chiefly British: perish
clod, dirt, earth, ground, soil, break down, corrupt, decay, decompose, disintegrate, fester, foul, molder, putrefy, rot, spoil, fall apart, go to seed

Related Words for Mold

blackland, clay, gault, gley, guck, gumbo, kaolin, muck, mud, dust, gravel, sand, humus, loam, topsoil, alluvium, colluvium, detritus, loess, marl, sediment, shingle, silt, duff, mull, subsoil, substratum, sour, turn, turn off

Near Antonyms of Mold

age, develop, grow, mature, ripen, refresh, renew, restore, cleanse, purify, assemble, compose, integrate, ameliorate, better, improve, meliorate

Word Forms of Mold

Inflections: molds, molded, molding

Derived words: moldable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Mold

Middle English, from Anglo-French molde, alteration of Old French modle, from Latin modulus, diminutive of modus measure mete

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Mold

blue mold, bread mold, green mold, leaf mold

Frequently Asked Questions about Mold

What does "Mold" mean?

"Mold" means a cavity in which a substance is shaped. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a cavity in which a substance is shaped. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Mold"?

Other words for "Mold" include clod, dirt, earth, ground, soil, break down, corrupt and decay. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Mold" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Mold"?

There are 66 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Mold". Common alternatives include clod, dirt, earth, ground, soil, break down, corrupt, decay, decompose and disintegrate.

How do you use "Mold" in a sentence?

Examples of "Mold" in a sentence: "mold so rich that just about anything will grow in it"; "plants molding in the abandoned garden".

Is "Mold" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Mold" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Mold"?

"Mold" is pronounced /ˈmōld/.

What is the origin of the word "Mold"?

"Mold" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French molde, alteration of Old French modle, from Latin modulus, diminutive of modus measure mete. First known use: 13th century.

What is another word for "Mold" meaning "the loose surface material in which plants naturally grow"?

When "Mold" (noun) means the loose surface material in which plants naturally grow, synonyms include clod, dirt, earth, ground and soil.