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to mildew

to mildew

2 5.9
To get a thin white fungus on something because it is damp
  • verb
  • /ˈmɪlˌdu/
translation icon : enmohecerse
  • Try putting some in a spray bottle filled with water or vinegar and using it on moldy or mildewed items.
  • mildewing furniture
  • mildew and rot

Examples

  • If you leave the bread out in the humid air, it will soon mildew.

  • She took the washcloth with her and stepped behind the shower curtain, which was crackly with age and slightly mildewed.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Throw the towels in the washer this time because last time they sat wet the whole time we were gone, and they mildewed.

    Blog text (29)
  • These are heavy-duty and waterproof tarps that will not mildew, rot, or mold.

    Blog text (2)
  • Dot allows us to use her patio furniture; then she locates three stained and mildewed lawn chairs in the utility room.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • His office smelled musty, mildewed from the incessant rain despite its laboring climate-control system.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The mustiness of the bedroom, a result of the dampness in the air, would permeate the robe that hung in the closet, even if it were not worn, so it had to be washed regularly; otherwise, it would become mildewed.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • The old books in the basement mildewed due to the high humidity levels.

  • The damp clothes left in the bathroom mildewed overnight, creating a musty smell.

Synonyms

to mold
vsto mildew
  • US
1 4.4

To become covered with fuzzy growth and begin to decay

is a milder surface growth that does not usually cause decay

Compounds

powdery mildew
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A plant disease that looks like white or gray powder on leaves and stems

downy mildew
  • Specialized
7.0

A plant disease that makes fuzzy, pale patches on leaves and stems

false mildew
  • Specialized
8.8

A plant disease caused by a fungus that attacks crops like grapes, potatoes, and melons

onion mildew
  • Specialized
5.0

A disease that makes onion leaves and stems turn grey and fuzzy

potato mildew
  • Specialized
4.6

A plant disease that makes potato leaves and potatoes rot

tobacco mildew
  • Specialized
7.2

A fungal disease that makes a white layer on tobacco leaves

How Moldy

to rot
156 1.4
to spoil
30 1.6
to mold
  • US
1 4.4
to mildew
2 5.9
to deteriorate
146 5.9

Surface Forms

mildew infinitive
mildewed past
mildewed past participle
mildewing present participle
mildews third person singular

Etymology

Mildew as a verb can be remembered the same way: think of mild + dew, picturing something slowly getting a 'soft, wet' layer. So when things mildew, they become covered by that damp fungus and begin to decay.