- a variation of mold.
mould
1 Britishnoun
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a shaped cavity used to give a definite form to fluid or plastic material
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a frame on which something may be constructed
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something shaped in or made on a mould
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shape, form, design, or pattern
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specific nature, character, or type
heroic mould
verb
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to make in a mould
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to shape or form, as by using a mould
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to influence or direct
to mould opinion
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to cling to
the skirt moulds her figure
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metallurgy to make (a material such as sand) into a mould that is used in casting
noun
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a coating or discoloration caused by various saprotrophic fungi that develop in a damp atmosphere on the surface of stored food, fabrics, wallpaper, etc
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any of the fungi that causes this growth
verb
noun
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loose soil, esp when rich in organic matter
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poetic the earth
Other Word Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A mould takes about a month to make, and the production run lasts about three months.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
The film tells the tale of a lonely, ostracised fisherwoman living in a medieval village who hires a basketmaker to mould her a new partner made entirely out of wicker.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
The Housing Ombudsman found Clarion had not handled the damp, mould and snagging issues appropriately even though the builder, Dandara, would still have been responsible during the defect period.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
The couple found black mould in their house 10 days after moving in.
From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026
At his feet, in between the creeping foliage, were dead leaves, rusty-coloured and dry on top, but packed to a damp mould just below the surface.
From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill
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