mold
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for mold, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A hollow container used to shape a liquid or soft substance as it sets or hardens.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use mold
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
The shaping sense comes from Old French modle, from Latin modulus/modus. The fungus sense has a separate Old English root related to soil.
Full origin of mold →Frequently asked questions
What does “mold” mean?
The word “mold” means a hollow container used to shape a liquid or soft substance as it sets or hardens. In plain terms, either a shaping container/pattern, or the furry fungus that grows on old food and damp walls — two unrelated meanings that happen to share a spelling.
How do you pronounce “mold”?
“Mold” is pronounced mohld (/moʊld/ in IPA).
How do you use “mold” in a sentence?
Here is “mold” used in a sentence: “She poured the melted chocolate into a heart-shaped mold.”
What part of speech is “mold”?
Depending on how it is used, “mold” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “mold” come from?
The word “mold” comes from Latin. The shaping sense comes from Old French modle, from Latin modulus/modus. The fungus sense has a separate Old English root related to soil.
Is “mold” a common word?
“Mold” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “mold” have?
“Mold” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hollow container used to shape a liquid or soft substance as it sets or hardens.
What is the difference between mold and mould?
Mold is the standard American English spelling, while mould is used in British, Australian, and most other varieties of English. Both spellings refer to the same meanings, including a shaping container, the verb meaning to shape, and the fungal growth.
What is the difference between mold and fungus?
Mold refers specifically to a fuzzy fungal growth that develops on food or damp surfaces, while fungus is the broader biological category that includes mold along with yeasts, mushrooms, and other organisms. In other words, mold is a type of fungus, not a separate thing.
How is mold used as a verb?
As a verb, mold means to shape something physically, such as molding clay, or to influence how a person or thing develops over time, such as experiences that mold someone's character. This usage is figurative in the second sense and literal in the first.