mold
mold — noun
1. a hollow form used to give a specific shape to something soft or liquid that set
a hollow form used to give a specific shape to something soft or liquid that sets inside it, for example in cooking, metalworking, or plastic manufacturing
Walid poured the melted wax into a silicone mold shaped like a star.
melted wax into a silicone mold
The baker pressed the cookie dough into a flower-shaped mold before baking.
cookie dough into a flower-shaped mold
Mei-Lin filled each mold with hot resin at the plant and waited for it to cool into buttons.
filled each mold with hot resin
Élise bought a jello mold in the shape of a fish for the party.
- silicone mold
- metal mold
- pour into a mold
- fill a mold
- mold release
Common Mistakes
2. a particular style, nature, or set of qualities that is typical of a person, gro
a particular style, nature, or set of qualities that is typical of a person, group, or thing
Christopher is a teacher in the classic mold of the old-school professors.
in the classic mold of
Esme's minimalist furniture line broke the mold of traditional Scandinavian design.
broke the mold of
Walid comes from a different mold than most politicians in the city.
from a different mold
The principal tried to fit every student into the same academic mold, ignoring their individual talents.
fit every student into the same academic mold
- in the mold of
- break the mold
- fit a mold
- traditional mold
- classic mold
Usage Note
Often used in fixed phrases such as 'in the mold of X' (meaning similar to X) and 'break the mold' (meaning to do something new and different).
Common Mistakes
3. a soft, fuzzy layer of fungus that grows in wet or rotting places such as old fo
a soft, fuzzy layer of fungus that grows in wet or rotting places such as old food, damp walls, or fallen leaves
Wei found green mold growing on the bread that had been left out too long.
green mold growing on bread
The bathroom ceiling had black mold in the corner where moisture collected.
black mold in the corner
Rania scraped the gray mold off the old cheese before eating it.
Wei found black mold spreading across the basement walls after the heavy spring rains.
black mold spreading across the basement walls
- green mold
- black mold
- mold growth
- mold spores
- toxic mold
- mold removal
Usage Note
Uncountable in everyday use ('there is mold on the bread'), but can be countable when referring to specific types or strains ('many molds are used in cheese production').
Common Mistakes
4. an object, dish, or sculpture that has been formed by pouring a substance into a
an object, dish, or sculpture that has been formed by pouring a substance into a mold and letting it harden
Rania presented a gelatin mold at the dinner party, its surface dotted with fresh raspberries.
gelatin mold
Hari served a raspberry mold shaped like a ring for dessert.
The shelf held plaster molds of seashells that the children had made at summer camp.
plaster molds of seashells
The panna cotta molds on the dessert tray jiggled slightly as Aoi carried them to the table.
panna cotta molds
- plaster mold
- bronze mold
- gelatin mold
- concrete mold
- casting
implies a metal or plaster object formed in a mold
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (SHAPING CONTAINER): this sense refers to the finished object that comes out of the mold, not the container itself.
5. loose, rich soil that contains decayed leaves and other organic matter, making i
loose, rich soil that contains decayed leaves and other organic matter, making it good for plant growth
The gardener mixed leaf mold into the flower bed to enrich the soil.
leaf mold
Hui scooped a handful of dark, crumbly mold from the compost heap.
The floor of Muir Woods was covered with a thick layer of mold and redwood needles.
mold and redwood needles
Bao added several bags of mold to the garden before planting tomatoes.
- leaf mold
- crumbly mold
- dark mold
- forest mold
Usage Note
Often used in the compound 'leaf mold' to refer specifically to decomposed leaves used as a soil conditioner.
6. a long, narrow strip of material used as decoration along walls, ceilings, door
a long, narrow strip of material used as decoration along walls, ceilings, door frames, or furniture edges
The carpenter installed wooden mold along the top of the living room wall.
installed wooden mold
The old house had intricate crown mold in every room.
crown mold
Wei painted the picture-frame mold a glossy white to match the trim.
Walid replaced the damaged mold around the doorway with a simpler design.
- crown mold
- picture-frame mold
- wooden mold
- install mold
- ceiling mold
- trim
a broader term that includes both functional and decorative edging
Usage Note
More commonly referred to as 'molding' in modern US English, though 'mold' is used in carpentry and architecture as a shorter form.
7. a frame or support around which something is built, shaped, or formed, especiall
a frame or support around which something is built, shaped, or formed, especially in shoemaking, hat-making, or sculpture
The shoemaker placed the leather over the wooden mold to form the boot.
wooden mold to form the boot
A wire mold was used as the base for the papier-mâché sculpture.
The hat maker shaped the felt over a hat mold to get the right size.
shaped the felt over a hat mold
Rania built a wire mold to support the clay while it dried.
- wooden mold
- hat mold
- wire mold
- shoe mold
- over a mold
Usage Note
This sense overlaps with sense 1 (SHAPING CONTAINER) but differs in that the frame does not contain the material — the material is shaped over or around it.
Mold
idioma town in northeastern Wales, near the border with England, with a population of about 10,000 people
The Watanabe family visited Mold last summer to see the famous flower show and explore the historic town center.
To do something in a new and different way that changes what people expect.
Maya broke the mold by starting a tech company at age 16.
Did the new director break the mold with that unusual film?
Used to say that someone or something is unique and there will never be another like them.
After creating that brilliant scientist, they broke the mold.
They broke the mold when they made this ancient temple.
mold — verb
1. to press, squeeze, or work a soft material like clay, dough, or wax with the han
to press, squeeze, or work a soft material like clay, dough, or wax with the hands to give it a particular shape or texture
Christopher molded the clay into a small bowl on the potter's wheel.
molded the clay into
Bao molded the bread dough into round rolls before putting them in the oven.
The children molded the wet sand into a castle on the beach.
Vinícius molded the wax with his fingers until it became soft and smooth.
- mold clay
- mold dough
- mold wax
- mold into shape
- mold by hand
Grammar Patterns
mold + object + into + shape
2. to make a solid object by pouring a liquid substance such as metal, plastic, or
to make a solid object by pouring a liquid substance such as metal, plastic, or wax into a mold and letting it harden into a fixed shape
A factory in Detroit molds plastic panels for truck dashboards.
molds plastic panels for
Ezra molded the silver into a ring by pouring it into a cast.
Imran poured the molten pewter into a snake-shaped mold at his workshop.
poured molten pewter into a snake-shaped mold
Hui molded the chocolate into tiny seashell shapes for the party.
- mold metal
- mold plastic
- mold wax
- mold into shape
- mold from steel
Grammar Patterns
mold + object + into/from + material
Usage Note
Distinguish from verb sense 1 (WORK MATERIAL): sense 1 uses direct hand pressure, while sense 2 involves pouring into a container and letting the material set.
3. to have a strong influence on the character, opinions, or development of a perso
to have a strong influence on the character, opinions, or development of a person or thing
Growing up on a farm molded Jabari's strong work ethic.
molded Jabari's strong work ethic
The teachers helped mold the students into responsible young adults.
mold the students into
Growing up with three older brothers molded Maja's competitive personality from an early age.
molded Maja's competitive personality
Rania's travels abroad molded her views on different cultures.
- mold character
- mold opinion
- mold behavior
- mold young minds
- mold the future
Grammar Patterns
mold + object
mold + object + into + noun
4. to design, create, or adjust something so that it fits a particular purpose, aud
to design, create, or adjust something so that it fits a particular purpose, audience, or situation
Coach Rivera molded the after-school program to meet the needs of beginner swimmers.
molded the after-school program
Wei molded his speech to suit the interests of the business audience.
The architect molded the design around the family's daily routines.
The coach molded the training plan around each athlete's strengths.
- mold to fit
- mold for a purpose
- mold around needs
- mold a program
- mold a plan
Grammar Patterns
mold + object + to/for + purpose
Usage Note
Overlaps with verb sense 3 (SHAPE CHARACTER) but focuses on deliberate design for a functional purpose rather than influencing personal development.
5. to fit closely to the shape or curves of something, following its outline tightl
to fit closely to the shape or curves of something, following its outline tightly
The dress molded tightly to Élise's body as she walked.
molded tightly to Élise's body
The leather seat had molded to the driver's shape over the years.
molded to the driver's shape
The wet fabric molded itself to the contours of the rock.
The shoes molded to Wei's feet after a few weeks of wear.
- mold to the body
- mold to the shape
- mold tightly
- mold over time
- mold to contours
Grammar Patterns
mold + to + noun
mold + oneself/itself + to + noun
Usage Note
Often used for clothing, shoes, or materials that gradually take on the shape of whatever they cover. Can be transitive ('the dress molded her figure') or intransitive ('the dress molded to her figure').
Common Mistakes
6. to add decorative strips or carved patterns to a surface such as a wall, ceiling
to add decorative strips or carved patterns to a surface such as a wall, ceiling, or piece of furniture
The craftsman molded the ceiling with ornate plaster borders.
molded the ceiling with
The cabinet doors were molded with detailed floral carvings.
were molded with
Hui molded the picture frames with gold leaf and wood trim.
The historic theater was molded with intricate crown decorations.
- mold a ceiling
- mold with plaster
- mold with carvings
- mold a frame
- ornament
more general; 'mold' is specific to adding shaped strips or carvings
Grammar Patterns
mold + object + with + material
Usage Note
In modern US English, this sense is less common than the noun form 'molding'. It is mostly used in descriptions of traditional craftsmanship.
7. to become covered with mold or mildew because of damp conditions
to become covered with mold or mildew because of damp conditions
The bread molded after being left in the plastic bag for two weeks.
bread molded after
The old books in the basement had molded because of the leaky pipe.
If you store strawberries in a damp basement, they will mold within a few days.
strawberries will mold within a few days
Wei threw away the cheese because it had started to mold.
- bread molds
- cheese molds
- food molds
- start to mold
- mold quickly
- go moldy
a more conversational phrasal form; 'mold' as a verb is slightly more formal
Usage Note
Intransitive only — you cannot 'mold something' in this sense. To express the causative idea, use 'make something moldy' or 'cause something to mold'.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- moldyadjectiveB2
- molderverbC1
- moldingnounB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/3
These words all describe how one thing affects another's development, but they differ in strength and scope. 'Mold' suggests actively giving a lasting form, like a parent molding a child's character through daily interactions. 'Shape' is very similar and often interchangeable, though it slightly emphasizes the process of forming rather than the final result. 'Influence' is weaker — it means to affect decisions or opinions without necessarily creating a permanent change (e.g., a friend's advice may influence your choice of career without molding your character). 'Define' is stronger and more precise, suggesting that a single factor sets clear boundaries of what something is (e.g., 'her honesty defines her'). 'Determine' is the most direct and often implies a decisive cause-and-effect relationship (e.g., 'genetics determine eye color'). For describing how experiences form a person's character, 'mold' and 'shape' are the most natural choices.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'mold' comes from Latin 'modulus', meaning a small measure or standard. This passed into Old French as 'modle', then entered Middle English as 'molde', referring to a hollow form for shaping. Over time, the word developed two main branches of meaning: the physical sense (a container for shaping, and the fungus that grows on damp surfaces — both from the idea of 'something that forms or covers') and the abstract sense (a person's character or type). The spelling 'mold' is standard in American English, while 'mould' is used in British English.