moody
MOO-dee
Moody (adj) means Prone to sudden changes in emotional state; temperamental. Example: “Teenagers can be moody, cheerful one minute and sullen the next.”
adj
1
Prone to sudden changes in emotional state; temperamental.
"Teenagers can be moody, cheerful one minute and sullen the next."
"My sister is so moody that nobody knows which version of her will turn up."
"Don't take it personally if he snaps at you; he has always been moody."
2
Sulky, gloomy, or bad-tempered.
"He went quiet and moody after losing the match."
"She sat in the corner all evening, looking moody and refusing to join in."
"Why are you so moody today? Did something happen at work?"
3
Having a dark, brooding, or atmospheric quality.
"The photographer specialised in moody black-and-white landscapes."
"The film has a moody soundtrack and long shots of empty, rain-soaked streets."
"Dim lamps and heavy curtains gave the bar a moody feel."
How to use moody
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGiven to bad or changeable moods, or (for art, photos, music) having a dark, atmospheric feel.
Common pairings
moody teenager
moody lighting
moody silence
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Word forms
- Comparative
- moodier
- Superlative
- moodiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Teenagers can be _____, cheerful one minute and sullen the next.
Etymology
From Old English modig ("brave, spirited"), built from mod ("mind, spirit") plus -y; the meaning drifted over time from "spirited" toward today's "prone to bad moods."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for moody
See all rhymes for moody →Frequently asked questions
What does “moody” mean?
The word “moody” means prone to sudden changes in emotional state; temperamental. In plain terms, given to bad or changeable moods, or (for art, photos, music) having a dark, atmospheric feel.
How do you pronounce “moody”?
“Moody” is pronounced MOO-dee (/ˈmuːdi/ in IPA).
How do you use “moody” in a sentence?
Here is “moody” used in a sentence: “Teenagers can be moody, cheerful one minute and sullen the next.”
What part of speech is “moody”?
“Moody” is an adjective.
Where does the word “moody” come from?
The word “moody” comes from Old English. From Old English modig ("brave, spirited"), built from mod ("mind, spirit") plus -y; the meaning drifted over time from "spirited" toward today's "prone to bad moods.".
Is “moody” a common word?
“Moody” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “moody” have?
“Moody” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: prone to sudden changes in emotional state; temperamental.
What is the difference between moody and temperamental?
Moody and temperamental both describe someone prone to sudden changes in emotional state, but temperamental can suggest more volatile or unpredictable reactions, sometimes extending to objects or machines that behave unreliably, while moody more often describes a person's shifting emotional tone.
Can moody describe things other than people?
Yes, moody can describe a dark, brooding, or atmospheric quality in things like music, photography, or weather, such as a moody sky, in addition to describing a person's sulky or temperamental emotional state.
Is moody always a negative description?
Moody can be negative when it means sulky, gloomy, or bad-tempered, but it can also be a neutral or even positive description when used for its atmospheric sense, such as praising a film's moody lighting.
