# moody

/ˈmudi/ (US) · /mˈuːdi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/moody
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. temperamental

adjective · CEFR B1

having feelings that change quickly, especially becoming angry or unhappy for no clear reason.

For teachers: subject to sudden or frequent changes of mind or emotional state; temperamental.

- He has been very moody lately, snapping at everyone for the smallest mistakes.
- The lead singer was notoriously moody, often refusing to perform if the backstage atmosphere didn't perfectly suit his temperament.

### 2. gloomy or sad

adjective · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: sullen, sulky, or withdrawn in a way that suggests unhappiness or resentment.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.

### 3. atmospheric

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. fake or stolen

adjective · CEFR C1 · British English · Slang · Informal

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He is very moody in the mornings before he has coffee.
- The teenager became increasingly moody and withdrawn, often spending hours alone in his room without explanation.
- The film's protagonist is a moody artist whose creative output is inextricably linked to his volatile emotional states and periods of deep isolation.

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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.