adj
musty
MUHS-tee
Musty (adj) means having a stale, damp smell, often from mould or lack of fresh air. Example: “The old library smelled musty after being closed all summer.”
adj
1
Having a stale, damp smell, often from mould or lack of fresh air.
"The old library smelled musty after being closed all summer."
2
Outdated or old-fashioned in a stale way, said of ideas or attitudes.
"He dismissed the rule as a musty tradition no one really believed in anymore."
How to use musty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSmelling stale and damp, or (of ideas) outdated and stale.
Common pairings
musty smell
musty old books
musty attic
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- musties
- Past tense
- mustied
- Comparative
- mustier, more musty
- Superlative
- mustiest, most musty
- Archaic forms
- mustiest, mustiedst, mustieth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old library smelled _____ after being closed all summer.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, likely linked to Old French forms meaning "damp" or "moist," blended over time with the word "must" (unfermented grape juice).
Related words
Rhymes for musty
See all rhymes for musty →Frequently asked questions
What does “musty” mean?
The word “musty” means having a stale, damp smell, often from mould or lack of fresh air. In plain terms, smelling stale and damp, or (of ideas) outdated and stale.
How do you pronounce “musty”?
“Musty” is pronounced MUHS-tee (/ˈmʌsti/ in IPA).
How do you use “musty” in a sentence?
Here is “musty” used in a sentence: “The old library smelled musty after being closed all summer.”
What part of speech is “musty”?
“Musty” is an adjective.
Where does the word “musty” come from?
The word “musty” comes from Old French. Origin uncertain, likely linked to Old French forms meaning "damp" or "moist," blended over time with the word "must" (unfermented grape juice).
How many meanings does “musty” have?
“Musty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a stale, damp smell, often from mould or lack of fresh air.
