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• moody
  moody

  adjective

  given to gloomy, depressed, or sullen moods; ill-humored.
• Moody
  Moody

  noun

  Dwight Lyman 1837–99, U.S. evangelist.

moody

¹ American  

[moo-dee] / ˈmu di /

adjective

moodier, moodiest

1. given to gloomy, depressed, or sullen moods; ill-humored.

   Synonyms:

   brooding, morose, sulky

2. proceeding from or showing such a mood.

   a moody silence.

3. expressing or exhibiting sharply varying moods; temperamental.

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Moody ² American  

[moo-dee] / ˈmu di /

noun

1. Dwight Lyman 1837–99, U.S. evangelist.

2. Helen Wills. Wills, Helen Newington.

3. William Vaughn 1869–1910, U.S. poet and playwright.

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moody ¹ British  

/ ˈmuːdɪ /

adjective

1. sullen, sulky, or gloomy

2. temperamental or changeable

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Moody ² British  

/ ˈmuːdɪ /

noun

1. Dwight Lyman. 1837–99, US evangelist and hymnodist, noted for his revivalist campaigns in Britain and the US with I. D. Sankey

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• moodiness
  noun
• moodily
  adverb
• unmoody
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of moody

before 900; Middle English mody, Old English mōdig. See mood ¹, -y ¹

Explanation

If you're in a bad mood, especially when you were in a pretty good mood this morning, you can say you're moody. A moody person's emotions change unpredictably and often. Someone with erratic moods is moody — you could also call them temperamental or changeable. If you describe a painting or a piece of music as moody, you probably mean that it has a dark, gloomy nature. A moody play, for example, might be a little depressing, or at least melancholy. Moody, from the Old English modig, began by meaning "arrogant or proud," and around the late sixteenth century became "subject to gloomy spells."

Example Sentences

Now, he’s on a hormone regimen that makes him tired and occasionally moody.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

But “All In Now” upgrades the band’s songwriting; the music looks back to the moody yet tuneful post-punk of English bands like Joy Division and the Smiths.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

Underneath the moody ensemble, Osaka wore a glittering gold tennis dress, with the sequins reflecting the scorching Paris sun.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

“Designed with a moody, sophisticated palette, the kitchen features top-of-the-line Cafe appliances, bespoke cabinetry, and a statement waterfall island, creating a space that feels both functional and artful.”

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

She’ll be moody and snarly about Nick and Abby.

From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli