moody

B1 · Intermediate

adj. feeling unhappy, quiet, and unwilling to talk to others.

adj. sullen, sulky, or withdrawn in a way that suggests unhappiness or resentment.

“She sat in a moody silence for the rest of the car ride.”

“After the team lost the championship, a moody atmosphere settled over the locker room as the players packed their gear in silence.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. describing a place or piece of art that feels dark, mysterious, or slightly sad.

adj. evoking a particular, typically dark or melancholy, atmosphere or state of mind.

“The film uses moody lighting to make the old house look scary.”

“The photographer is famous for his moody landscapes, which capture the desolate beauty of the Scottish Highlands under heavy grey skies.”

C1 · Advanced British English · Slang · Informal

adj. describing something that is fake, stolen, or not what it seems to be.

adj. of dubious origin; referring to goods that are counterfeit, stolen, or otherwise illegal.

“He tried to sell me a moody watch on the street for ten pounds.”

“The authorities raided the warehouse after receiving a tip-off about a large shipment of moody electronics being distributed to local markets.”