adj

musty

MUHS-tee

adj

Having a stale, damp smell, often from mould or lack of fresh air.

"The old library smelled musty after being closed all summer."

Outdated or old-fashioned in a stale way, said of ideas or attitudes.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 notes

In plain EnglishSmelling stale and damp, or (of ideas) outdated and stale.

Common pairings

musty smell musty old books musty attic

Word Forms

mustier comparative, more musty comparative, mustied past tense, musty plural, mustied plural, musties singular, musty singular, mustied singular, mustiest singular, mustiedst singular, mustieth singular, mustiest superlative, most musty superlative

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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).

Rhymes for musty

rusty busty dusty lusty crusty trusty

See all rhymes for musty →