musty

1
[ muhs-tee ]
/ ˈmʌs ti /

adjective, mus·ti·er, mus·ti·est.

having an odor or flavor suggestive of mold, as old buildings, long-closed rooms, or stale food.
obsolete; outdated; antiquated: musty laws.
dull; apathetic.

Origin of musty

1
1520–30; perhaps variant of moisty (Middle English; see moist, -y1) with loss of i before s as in master

OTHER WORDS FROM musty

mus·ti·ly, adverb mus·ti·ness, noun

Definition for musty (2 of 2)

musty 2
[ muhs-tee ]
/ ˈmʌs ti /

noun, plural mus·ties.

(formerly) a kind of snuff having a musty flavor.

Origin of musty

2
First recorded in 1700–10; noun use of musty1

Example sentences from the Web for musty

British Dictionary definitions for musty

musty
/ (ˈmʌstɪ) /

adjective -tier or -tiest

smelling or tasting old, stale, or mouldy
old-fashioned, dull, or hackneyed musty ideas

Derived forms of musty

mustily, adverb mustiness, noun

Word Origin for musty

C16: perhaps a variant of obsolete moisty, influenced by must ³