mood
mood
Mood (noun) means a temporary state of mind or feeling. Example: “She was in a great mood after getting the good news.”
noun
1
A temporary state of mind or feeling.
"She was in a great mood after getting the good news."
"His mood darkened as soon as the meeting started."
"Don't ask him now, because he's in a bad mood this morning."
2
The overall feeling or atmosphere created by something, such as a piece of music, a film, or a room.
"The candlelight and soft music set a romantic mood for dinner."
"The grey skies and quiet streets gave the whole film a gloomy mood."
"Bright yellow walls helped create a cheerful mood in the kitchen."
3
A sullen, irritable state of mind.
"He's been in a mood ever since his car broke down."
"Leave her alone today, because she's in a mood and snapping at everyone."
"My brother is in a mood again, slamming doors and refusing to talk."
4
(grammar) A verb form showing whether a statement is a fact, a command, a wish, or a possibility.
""If I were you" uses the subjunctive mood, not the indicative."
"Commands like "Sit down!" are written in the imperative mood."
"In French, learners must decide when to use the subjunctive mood instead."
How to use mood
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow someone is feeling right now, or the atmosphere something creates.
Common mistake
The grammatical "mood" (indicative, subjunctive, imperative) is a completely different, technical sense from the everyday "how you're feeling" sense.
Common pairings
in a good mood
in a bad mood
set the mood
mood swing
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like mood.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- moods
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was in a great _____ after getting the good news.
Etymology
From Old English mod, meaning "mind, spirit, or courage" — the word originally leaned more toward "temperament" and "bravery" than today's narrower sense of a passing feeling.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for mood
See all rhymes for mood →Frequently asked questions
What does “mood” mean?
The word “mood” means a temporary state of mind or feeling. In plain terms, how someone is feeling right now, or the atmosphere something creates.
How do you pronounce “mood”?
“Mood” is pronounced mood (/muːd/ in IPA).
How do you use “mood” in a sentence?
Here is “mood” used in a sentence: “She was in a great mood after getting the good news.”
What part of speech is “mood”?
“Mood” is a noun.
Where does the word “mood” come from?
The word “mood” comes from Old English. From Old English mod, meaning "mind, spirit, or courage" — the word originally leaned more toward "temperament" and "bravery" than today's narrower sense of a passing feeling.
Is “mood” a common word?
“Mood” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “mood” have?
“Mood” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a temporary state of mind or feeling.
What is the difference between a mood and an emotion?
An emotion is usually short and intense, triggered by something specific — fear at a sudden noise, joy at good news. A mood is milder and longer-lasting, and often has no obvious single cause; you can simply feel cheerful or irritable all day. Emotions spike and fade; moods linger in the background.
What is the difference between mood and temperament?
A mood is temporary — how you feel today or this hour. Temperament is your stable, long-term nature, the general disposition you are born with and carry through life, such as being calm, anxious or cheerful by default. Moods come and go; temperament stays largely the same over the years.
Can your mood be improved?
Yes. Although moods can feel like they arrive on their own, they respond to many everyday factors. Sleep, exercise, food, sunlight, music and time with other people can all lift a low mood, while stress and tiredness tend to lower it. Small changes to routine often shift how you feel.
What does it mean when people call something 'a mood'?
In modern slang, calling something 'a mood' means it feels instantly relatable — it captures a feeling you recognise in yourself. Someone might post a tired-looking cat and comment 'me, honestly, a whole mood.' It is a light, affectionate way of saying 'that perfectly sums up how I feel.'
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include mood:
