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mossy

mossy

1 8.2
Old-fashioned in ideas or ways of doing things
  • adjective
  • /ˈmɔsi/
translation icon : anticuado
  • He wore a mossy suit that looked like it hadn't been in style for decades.

Examples

  • "On the wet, mossy ground."On the wet, mossy ground--"

  • I love the color, this mossy green I'm so into.

  • They're very old and mossy.

  • Their arguments felt mossy and outdated, lacking relevance in today's context.

  • Many of the museum's exhibits seemed mossy, instead of reflecting modern art trends.

Synonyms

old-fashioned
vsmossy
149 4.7

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

carries a stronger negative attitude rather than neutral description
antiquated
vsmossy
32 8.2

Very old and not useful or suitable now

means out of date in a critical way but less extreme
dusty
vsmossy
11 6.5

Old and not interesting because it has no new ideas

is more about being outdated in style and thought
stodgy
vsmossy
8 7.8

Dull and old-fashioned, not interesting or new

is mainly about being out of date rather than just dull
old-hat
vsmossy
  • Informal
1 6.8

No longer new or fashionable

focuses more on being out of date with negative judgment
moss-grown
vsmossy
  • Offensive
9.9

Old and out of date in ideas, opinions, or ways

is the same pejorative idea but can be used more broadly
fogyish
vsmossy
  • Archaic
9.9

Having old ideas or rules that seem out of date

expresses a harsher, more negative view of being outdated
mildewy
vsmossy
7.3

Old-fashioned and stale in style or ideas

emphasizes being old-fashioned with a critical tone instead

Antonyms

1.4

Relating to the present time and new ways of doing things

219 4.2

Belonging to the present time, often showing modern ideas

165 5.5

Having new ideas or methods to do things better

Compounds

9.3

A medium to large North American tree with acorns in deep fringed cups

A small plant that grows in patches and has white flower groups

How Old-Fashioned

archaic
34 9.9
obsolete
93 5.8
mossy
1 8.2
dated
3 6.2
old-fashioned
149 4.7

Surface Forms

mossy positive
mossier comparative
mossiest superlative

Morphology

mossy = moss (semi-transparent) = moss + y

The figurative sense 'old-fashioned/outdated' is a metaphorical extension from being 'covered with moss' and is not fully predictable for all learners.

Etymology

A helpful way to remember mossy when it means 'old-fashioned' is to picture moss slowly covering an old wall or book and making it look aged and unused. So when people call ideas or habits mossy, they mean those ideas are stuck, worn-out, or not modern.