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mildewy

mildewy

7.3
Old-fashioned and stale in style or ideas
  • adjective
  • /ˈmɪldwi/
translation icon : anticuado
  • The novel's plot felt mildewy, as if it belonged to another era.

Examples

  • His mildewy opinions failed to impress the younger members of the team.

  • Critics described the museum's exhibit as mildewy and in need of a modern update.

  • This book feels mildewy.

  • Her ideas felt mildewy and outdated.

  • His mildewy opinions failed to impress the younger members of the team.

  • Critics described the museum's exhibit as mildewy and in need of a modern update.

  • The novel's plot felt mildewy, as if it belonged to another era.

Synonyms

old-fashioned
vsmildewy
149 4.7

Not in style, like clothes or ideas from an earlier time

adds the idea of lacking freshness and relevance especially for ideas
outdated
vsmildewy
78 5.0

No longer useful or fashionable because it is old

emphasizes lack of freshness and relevance in ideas and style
stale
vsmildewy
32 3.1

Not new or interesting because of repetition

focuses more on being unfashionable and irrelevant in ideas or style
musty
vsmildewy
29 3.9

A stale, slightly damp smell like old things kept without fresh air

applies to ideas and style that are no longer fresh or relevant
dusty
vsmildewy
11 6.5

Old and not interesting because it has no new ideas

has the same general sense but stresses irrelevance and lack of freshness
stodgy
vsmildewy
8 7.8

Dull and old-fashioned, not interesting or new

focuses more on lack of freshness or relevance in ideas and style
old-hat
vsmildewy
  • Informal
1 6.8

No longer new or fashionable

highlights lack of freshness and relevance especially for ideas
mossy
vsmildewy
1 8.2

Old-fashioned in ideas or ways of doing things

is similar but stresses lack of freshness and relevance rather than merely dated
moth-eaten
vsmildewy
7.3

Old, tired ideas that are no longer interesting

stresses lack of freshness and relevance in style and ideas
bromidic
vsmildewy
9.9

Boring because it uses words or ideas people hear many times

is broader applying to a wider lack of freshness and relevance in ideas
overworn
vsmildewy
6.2

Used so much that it looks old or no longer works well

implies lack of freshness from age or irrelevance rather than just use
moss-grown
vsmildewy
  • Offensive
9.9

Old and out of date in ideas, opinions, or ways

puts more weight on lack of freshness and relevance in ideas or style
fusty
vsmildewy
9.5

Having a stale, stuffy smell as if it has not been aired

is used for ideas or style that lack freshness and relevance

Antonyms

1.4

Relating to the present time and new ways of doing things

How Outdated

archaic
34 9.9
dated
3 6.2
mildewy
7.3
old-fashioned
149 4.7
conventional
175 2.8

Surface Forms

mildewy positive

Morphology

mildewy = mildew (semi-transparent) = mildew + y

Formed from 'mildew' + '-y' but the sense 'old-fashioned, stale' is a metaphorical extension from mustiness and may not be directly inferable for all learners.

Etymology

Mildewy is also used for ideas or styles that feel old and stale because mildew is damp and makes things look and smell old. That's why calling something mildewy means it is 'old-fashioned' or 'stale'.