Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense moulds, present participle moulding, past tense, past participle mouldedregional note: in AM, use mold
1. countable noun
A mould is a hollow container that you pour liquid into. When the liquid becomes solid, it takes the same shape as the mould.
Spoon the mixture carefully into the mould.
The moulds for the foundry are made in the toolroom area.
...jelly moulds.
2. countable noun
If a person fits into or is cast in a mould of a particular kind, they have the characteristics, attitudes, behaviour, or lifestyle that are typical of that type of person.
In Britain, political leaders come from the same mould: same education, same schools.
See break the mould
3. verb
If you mould a soft substance such as plastic or clay, you make it into a particular shape or into an object.
Using 2 spoons, mould the cheese mixture into small balls or ovals. [VERB noun + into]
Before we left the camp, my twin brother and I moulded a chair out of mud. [VERB noun]
4. verb
To mould someone or something means to change or influence them over a period of time so thatthey develop in a particular way.
She was only 17 at the time and the experience moulded her personality. [VERB noun]
Here we outline some of the sometimes conflicting forces moulding the debate. [VERB noun]
Too often we try to mold our children into something they do not wish to be. [VERB noun + into]
5. verb
When something moulds to an object or when you mould it there, it fits round the object tightly so that the shape of the object can still be seen.
You need a malleable pillow that will mould to the curves of your neck. [V + to/around/round]
She stood there, the wind moulding the dress around her. [V n + around/round/to]
6. variable noun
Mould is a soft grey, green, or blue substance that sometimes forms in spots on old food or on damp walls or clothes.
7. See also leaf mould
More Synonyms of mould
mould in British English1
or US mold (məʊld)
noun
1.
a shaped cavity used to give a definite form to fluid or plastic material
2.
a frame on which something may be constructed
3.
something shaped in or made on a mould
4.
shape, form, design, or pattern
5.
specific nature, character, or type
heroic mould
verb(transitive)
6.
to make in a mould
7.
to shape or form, as by using a mould
8.
to influence or direct
to mould opinion
9.
to cling to
the skirt moulds her figure
10. metallurgy
to make (a material such as sand) into a mould that is used in casting
Derived forms
mouldable (ˈmouldable) or US moldable (ˈmoldable)
adjective
mouldability (ˌmouldaˈbility) or US moldability (ˌmoldaˈbility)
noun
Word origin
C13 (n): changed from Old French modle, from Latin modulus a small measure, module
mould in British English2
or US mold (məʊld)
noun
1.
a coating or discoloration caused by various saprotrophic fungi that develop in a damp atmosphere on the surface of stored food, fabrics, wallpaper, etc
2.
any of the fungi that causes this growth
verb
3.
to become or cause to become covered with this growth
Also called: mildew
Word origin
C15: dialect (Northern English) mowlde mouldy, from the past participle of moulen to become mouldy, probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse mugla mould
mould in British English3
or US mold (məʊld)
noun
1.
loose soil, esp when rich in organic matter
2. poetic
the earth
Word origin
Old English molde; related to Old High German molta soil, Gothic mulde
mould in American English
(moʊld)
noun, verb transitive, verb intransitive
British
mold1, mold2, mold3
Derived forms
mouldy (ˈmouldy)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈmouldier or ˈmouldiest
More idioms containing
mould
break the mould
they broke the mould when they made someone
Examples of 'mould' in a sentence
mould
But it received no damp or mould reports.
The Sun (2016)
Wrap each brandy snap around a mould and leave to set until completely cold.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They make great decorations all winter and are ready to eat at any time, though check for any mould around the neck.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Give the jelly a wallop and carefully lift offthe mould.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Wrap each brandy snap around a mould and leave to set until completely cold.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This produces a soft mould that must be reinforced with plaster bandages before removal.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The printed shapes are glued together to make moulds for fibreglass panels.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Pour the mixture into glasses or metal jelly moulds and put in the fridge overnight to set.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It had been cast and moulded to conform with the bones of his skull.
Zindell, David The Broken God (1993)
The male shapes and moulds society and the world.
Jane Dunn ELIZABETH AND MARY: Cousins, Rivals, Queens (2003)
There is something endearing about how hard he tries to mould himself into something else.
The Sun (2009)
Any symptom can be caused by mould.
Mumby, Keith The Allergy Handbook (1988)
We were just trying to change the mould a little.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Split the mixture between the moulds.
The Sun (2013)
Wash them well, and if mould forms on the leaves discard them.
Martlew, Gillian & Silver, Shelley Stay Well This Winter (1989)
They are put in wet, pressed down and a little old leaf mould added.
The Sun (2011)
Combine all remaining cake ingredients and beat Fold in the and mixture a ring mould.
The Sun (2015)
It showed signs of green mould, which he quickly brushed off and cut the pie into segments.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The leaf spot is usually just grey mould that has entered the leaf after damage, sometimes from hail.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
A This is blue bulb mould and it is worse when bulbs are kept warm and damp.
The Sun (2009)
DO you need mould, or moulded parts?
The Sun (2010)
When it is full, the whole lot can be left to rot down, making rich leaf mould next year.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Word lists with
mould
fungus
In other languages
mould
British English: mould /məʊld/ NOUN
shape A mould is a container used to make something into a particular shape.
...jelly moulds.
American English: mold shape
Arabic: قَالِبٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: molde
Chinese: 模具
Croatian: kalup
Czech: forma
Danish: form støbeform
Dutch: vorm gietvorm
European Spanish: molde
Finnish: muotti
French: moule forme
German: Form
Greek: καλούπι
Italian: forma
Japanese: 型 shape
Korean: 주형
Norwegian: form
Polish: odlew
European Portuguese: molde
Romanian: matriță
Russian: футляр
Latin American Spanish: molde
Swedish: form gjutform
Thai: แม่พิมพ์
Turkish: kalıp pasta, jöle, briket vb
Ukrainian: форма
Vietnamese: khuôn
British English: mould /məʊld/ NOUN
substanceMould is a soft grey, green, or blue substance that sometimes forms in spots on old food or on damp walls or clothes.