mold

[ mohld ]

/ moʊld /

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See synonyms for: mold / molded / molding / moldability on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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

something formed in or on a mold: a mold of jelly.

a frame on which something is formed or made.

shape or form.

a prototype, example, or precursor.

a distinctive nature, character, or type: a person of a simple mold.

Shipbuilding.

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

Architecture.

a molding.
a group of moldings.

verb (used with object)

to work into a required shape or form; shape.

to shape or form in or on a mold.

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

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

to have influence in determining or forming: to mold the character of a child.

to ornament with moldings.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also especially British, mould .

Origin of mold

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; see also mode

OTHER WORDS FROM mold

mold·a·ble, mould·a·ble, adjectivemold·a·bil·i·ty, mould·a·bil·i·ty, noun

Other definitions for mold (2 of 3)

mold²

[ mohld ]

/ moʊld /

noun

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

any of the fungi that produce such a growth.

verb (used with or without object)

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

Also especially British, mould .

Origin of mold

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”

Other definitions for mold (3 of 3)

mold³

[ mohld ]

/ moʊld /

noun

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

British Dialect. ground; earth.

Also especially British, mould .

Origin of mold

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 meal², mill¹

How to use mold in a sentence

Picture frames, nicely moulded in brass, were made here in 1825, by a modeller named Maurice Garvey.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
His letter of a few months before reveals the facility with which he moulded the steam-engine to his requirements.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
These are very elaborately moulded, the outer sides being ornamented with chevron decoration.
Bell's Cathedrals: A Short Account of Romsey Abbey|Thomas Perkins
Again he felt the man's ascendancy over him, knew that he was swayed and moulded by a personality stronger than his own.
The Everlasting Arms|Joseph Hocking

Some of these children are not moulded into the activities of churches or other helpful organizations.
Report of the Special Committee on Moral Delinquency in Children and Adolescents|Oswald Chettle Mazengarb et al.

British Dictionary definitions for mold

mold

/ (məʊld) /

noun, verb

the US spelling of mould 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for mold

mold

[ mōld ]

Any of various fungi that often form a fuzzy growth (called a mycelium) on the surface of organic matter. Some molds cause food to spoil, but others are beneficial, such as those used to make certain cheeses and those from which antibiotics like penicillin are developed. The molds do not form a distinct phylogenetic grouping but belong to various phyla including the ascomycetes and the zygomycetes. See also slime mold.

Other Idioms and Phrases with mold

mold

see cast in the same mold.

mold

Origin of mold

OTHER WORDS FROM mold

Other definitions for mold (2 of 3)

Origin of mold

Other definitions for mold (3 of 3)

Origin of mold

Words related to mold

How to use mold in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for mold

Scientific definitions for mold

Other Idioms and Phrases with mold