mold

¹ American  

[mohld] / moʊld /

especially British, mould

noun

1. a hollow form or matrix for giving a particular shape to something in a molten or plastic state.

2. the shape created or imparted to a thing by a mold.

3. something formed in or on a mold.

   a mold of jelly.

4. a frame on which something is formed or made.

5. shape or form.

6. a prototype, example, or precursor.

7. a distinctive nature, character, or type.

   a person of a simple mold.

8. Shipbuilding.

   1. a three-dimensional pattern used to shape a plate after it has been softened by heating.

   2. a template for a frame.

9. Architecture.

   1. a molding.

   2. a group of moldings.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to work into a required shape or form; shape.

2. to shape or form in or on a mold.

3. Metallurgy. to form a mold of or from, in order to make a casting.

4. to produce by or as if by shaping material; form.

5. to have influence in determining or forming.

   to mold the character of a child.

6. to ornament with moldings.

mold ² American  

[mohld] / moʊld /

especially British, mould

noun

1. a growth of minute fungi forming on vegetable or animal matter, commonly as a downy or furry coating, and associated with decay or dampness.

2. any of the fungi that produce such a growth.

---

verb (used with or without object)

1. to become or cause to become overgrown or covered with mold.

mold ³ American  

[mohld] / moʊld /

especially British, mould

noun

1. loose, friable earth, especially when rich in organic matter and favorable to the growth of plants.

2. British Dialect. ground; earth.

---

mold British  

/ məʊld /

noun

1. the US spelling of mould 1

---

mold Idioms  

1. see cast in the same mold.

---

Other Word Forms

• moldability noun
• moldable adjective
• mouldability noun
• mouldable adjective

Etymology

Origin of mold¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English noun molde, moulde “pattern, model, mold,” from Anglo-French molde, from Old French molle, modle, moule, from Latin modulus “standard unit (of measurement)”; the verb is derivative of the noun; mode

Origin of mold²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English moulde, molde, apparently noun use of variant of earlier (i)mouled, moueld, past participle of moule(n), muhlen “to grow moldy, spoil, rot”; from Old Norse; compare Old Icelandic mygla, Swedish mögla, both meaning “to become moldy”

Origin of mold³

First recorded before 900; Middle English molde, moulde, mulde “dirt, loose earth, soil; earth or soil of a grave,” Old English molde “dust, sand, earth, the earth”; cognate with Gothic mulda “dust,” Old Icelandic mold “earth, mold,” Old High German molta “dust”; akin to meal ², mill ¹

Example Sentences

In 2023, Spelling made headlines when it was revealed that she lived in an RV following a severe mold issue in her previous rental, which caused chronic illnesses.

From MarketWatch

Instead of bait, lines and hooks, they are allowed to use only lures—anything from a coffee mug to a Jell-O mold—and pitchfork-like spears.

From The Wall Street Journal

Talarico-like candidates are busting out across the U.S., if few in his seminarian mold.

From The Wall Street Journal

I didn’t even to take any leftovers because I knew they would just gather mold in the fridge.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s the tragic result of a system failing to meet the most basic duty of care,” Padilla said in a statement, citing reports of mold in food, unclean drinking water and barriers to medical care.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• construct
• forge
• sculpt