Definition

Having a damp, musty smell or appearance, often caused by the growth of mold or mildew.

Example

The old bread had a mildewy smell that made it inedible.

Conversation

I noticed some mildewy spots on the walls in my basement.

Oh no! That can be a real problem if it spreads.

Yeah, I need to clean it up before it gets worse.

Definitely, make sure to use a good cleaner to get rid of the mildewy smell too.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Mildewy** → It is formed from "mildew" (from Middle English *mildewe*, meaning a type of fungus or mold) and the suffix "-y" (meaning characterized by or having the quality of). The word "mildewy" describes something that is characterized by or has the quality of mildew, often referring to a damp, moldy condition.

Memory Tip

Think of mildew as a type of mold that grows in damp places, and remember that mildewy means something that has the quality of being moldy or damp.

Visually Confused Words