mildew
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈmɪl.djuː/
KK: /ˈmɪlˌdu/
noun
Definition
A type of fungus that grows on plants and organic materials, often appearing as a whitish coating, especially in damp conditions.
Example
I found some mildew on the old bread in the cupboard.
Conversation
I found some old books in the basement, but they have mildew on them.
Oh no! That's not good for the pages at all.
Yeah, I guess I should clean them quickly to prevent more mildew.
Definitely! Maybe some vinegar can help get rid of it.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
fungus
blight
mold
Antonyms
health
purity
cleanliness
transitive verb
Definition
To cause a surface or material to develop a mold-like growth due to dampness.
Example
The damp conditions in the basement caused the walls to mildew.
Tense Forms
Past: mildewed
Past Participle: mildewed
Conversation
I noticed some mildew on my bathroom tiles yesterday.
Oh no, that can be really annoying to deal with.
Yeah, I should probably clean it before it spreads and affects more areas.
Root Explanation
Mildew → The word originates from Old English 'mildew' (meaning a kind of mold or fungus) and is a combination of 'mil' (meaning soft or mild) and 'dew' (meaning moisture). The term refers to a soft, moist fungus that grows in damp conditions.
Memory Tip
Think of 'soft' ('mil') and 'moisture' ('dew') coming together to remember that mildew is a soft fungus that thrives in damp environments.
Visually Confused Words
mile
mide