noun

mothball

MOTH-bawl

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Mothball (noun) means a small ball of chemical, usually naphthalene, kept among stored clothes to keep moths from damaging them. Example: “The wardrobe smelled of mothballs after months shut up for winter.”

noun

A small ball of chemical, usually naphthalene, kept among stored clothes to keep moths from damaging them.

"The wardrobe smelled of mothballs after months shut up for winter."

"She dropped a few mothballs into the box before sealing it."

"He couldn't stand the sharp smell of mothballs on his grandfather's coat."

verb

To take something out of active use and put it into storage, usually so it can be brought back into service later.

"The airline mothballed half its fleet during the downturn."

"Plans for the new stadium were mothballed when funding fell through."

"The navy mothballed several old ships rather than scrapping them."

How to use mothball

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA mothball is a little pesticide ball for clothes, and to mothball something is to shelve it for later.

When to use it

The verb sense is common in news and business writing about projects, factories and vehicles being put on hold.

Memory tip

If a plan or plant is described as mothballed, it has been paused rather than cancelled, so it could still restart.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

smell of mothballs mothball a ship mothball a project mothballed fleet

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The wardrobe smelled of _____ after months shut up for winter.

Etymology

The noun combines moth with ball, describing a small ball used to keep moths away from stored clothing. The verb was later formed from the noun, extending the idea of putting something away in storage to cover shelving plans or projects more generally.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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shelve defer set aside

Antonyms

unmothball

Related words

table reserve submit bow pursue hurry yield suspend

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to mothball something?

It means taking it out of use and putting it into storage, often while keeping it in good enough condition to bring back later.

Why are mothballs used in wardrobes?

They release a pesticide, traditionally camphor and now usually naphthalene, that keeps moth larvae from eating stored clothes and fabrics.

Is mothballing a project the same as cancelling it?

Not quite; mothballing usually means pausing or postponing work for now rather than scrapping it for good.

What is the meaning of mothball?

"mothball" (noun) means a small ball of chemical, usually naphthalene, kept among stored clothes to keep moths from damaging them.

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