# mold

/ˈmoʊɫd/ (US) · /mˈəʊld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mold
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. shaping container

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

a hollow container used to give shape to a liquid or soft substance as it hardens.

For teachers: a hollow form or matrix used to shape fluid or plastic substances into a specific geometry as they solidify.

- He poured the melted chocolate into a star-shaped mold to make treats for the party.
- The industrial designer inspected the steel mold for imperfections before the first batch of plastic components was injected.

### 2. fungus

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

a fuzzy growth of tiny fungi that appears on old food or damp surfaces.

For teachers: a growth of minute fungi forming a furry or woolly coating on organic matter, typically associated with decay or dampness.

- I had to throw the bread away because it was covered in green mold.
- The damp conditions in the basement encouraged the growth of black mold along the lower edges of the drywall.

### 3. character or type

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a person's specific character or a fixed way of doing things.

For teachers: a distinctive character, type, or a restrictive pattern of behavior or thought.

- She didn't fit the mold of a typical politician because she was very honest.
- The new CEO was determined to break the corporate mold and introduce a more flexible, creative working environment.

### 4. to shape something

verb · CEFR B1 · American English

to shape something into a particular form using your hands or a tool.

For teachers: to give shape to a malleable substance by physical pressure or by using a form.

- The children liked to mold the clay into small animals.
- The sculptor spent hours trying to mold the wet clay into a realistic likeness of the subject's face.

### 5. to influence

verb · CEFR B2 · American English

to influence the way someone or something develops.

For teachers: to guide or determine the growth, development, or character of a person or entity.

- Teachers have a great opportunity to mold the minds of their students.
- The experiences of his early childhood helped mold him into the resilient leader he is today.

## Examples

- There is green mold growing on the old bread.
- The landlord had to hire a professional team to remove the black mold from the bathroom walls.
- While some varieties of mold are responsible for spoiling food, others are essential for the production of certain cheeses and life-saving antibiotics like penicillin.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.