mould

¹ British  

/ məʊld /

noun

1. a shaped cavity used to give a definite form to fluid or plastic material

2. a frame on which something may be constructed

3. something shaped in or made on a mould

4. shape, form, design, or pattern

5. specific nature, character, or type

   heroic mould

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verb

1. to make in a mould

2. to shape or form, as by using a mould

3. to influence or direct

   to mould opinion

4. to cling to

   the skirt moulds her figure

5. metallurgy to make (a material such as sand) into a mould that is used in casting

mould ² British  

/ məʊld /

noun

1. a coating or discoloration caused by various saprotrophic fungi that develop in a damp atmosphere on the surface of stored food, fabrics, wallpaper, etc

2. any of the fungi that causes this growth

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verb

1. to become or cause to become covered with this growth

mould ³ British  

/ məʊld /

noun

1. loose soil, esp when rich in organic matter

2. poetic the earth

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Other Word Forms

• mouldability noun
• mouldable adjective

Etymology

Origin of mould¹

C13 (n): changed from Old French modle, from Latin modulus a small measure, _module

Origin of mould²

C15: dialect (Northern English) mowlde mouldy, from the past participle of moulen to become mouldy, probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse mugla mould

Origin of mould³

Old English molde; related to Old High German molta soil, Gothic mulde

Explanation

Mould is the British spelling for "mold" — the stuff you find growing on old bread or the container you use to create your jello masterpieces. Living mould is like “mildew,” it’s a type of fungus that grows on damp or decaying matter. Mould can also mean a “caste” used to shape a hardening liquid. In this sense mould can refer to both the container and the end product that comes out of the mould. In addition, mould is used as a verb to describe the process of making a mould. When you pour plaster into a mould to make a shape, you mould that shape.

Example Sentences

The experts warned that dormant mould spores could reactivate when the overbudget and delayed facilities finally open, posing a health hazard for the lifetime of the buildings.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is seeking to rebuild a cancer ward at Scotland's largest hospital after issues with mould and water ingress.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

On Thursday, Gray told the Scottish Parliament that mould had been found in one of the closed rooms in the ward.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin after mould accidentally contaminated a laboratory dish and killed surrounding bacteria.

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026

Hooper began to mould plasticine between his hands, for another layer to the geological model, standing on a board beside the window.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill

Related Words

• chisel
• divide
• engrave
• etch
• fashion
• hack
• mold
• sculpt
• shape
• slice