mood music
Americannoun
noun
-
recorded music played in the background in a place to establish a mood of relaxation, calm, etc
-
a prevailing atmosphere or feeling
Etymology
Origin of mood music
First recorded in 1935–40
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
So far, the operation to deploy royal stardust to improve the mood music between the nations appears to be working.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026
“The lighting and mood music makes it easier to focus on the internal experience than other classes I’ve taken,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 27, 2026
Chuck in a strong earnings season, with average S&P 500 profit growth projected at 13%, and renewed confidence in artificial intelligence after OpenAI’s latest mega funding round External link and the mood music seems good.
From Barron's ● Apr. 1, 2026
The mood music has changed a bit around Rangers since then thanks to the stability and pragmatism Rohl has brought to the club, at least in the league, where he remains unbeaten.
From BBC ● Dec. 15, 2025
Normally Fang would come over and my dad would throw on some mood music and my mom would whip up the eggnog and, while she was at it, a couple presents for my friend.
From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
