Meaning & use
molded
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“molded” is a form of “mold”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Made by pouring or pressing a soft material into a hollow form so that it sets in a fixed shape.
Grammar: Describes manufactured objects: a molded plastic chair, a molded chocolate.
Patterns
- molded plastic
- molded in something
The chair has a molded plastic seat that is easy to clean.
We bought a molded gelatin dessert shaped like a star.
Molded concrete blocks formed the garden wall.
adjectivecomparablefigurative
Shaped and developed gradually by experiences, people, or surroundings, as with someone's character or opinions.
Grammar: Often followed by by: a mind molded by hardship.
Patterns
- molded by something
- molded into something
The molded character of the team captain was the result of years of hard training.
A mind molded by the old traditions can be slow to change.
He became a leader molded by his years in the army.
verbtransitive
Past tense and past participle of mold: shaped something soft into a form, or strongly influenced how someone develops.
Grammar: Takes an object: she molded the clay into a bowl.
Patterns
- mold something into something
- mold someone into something
The potter molded the clay into a tall vase.
Her grandmother molded her view of the world.
The coach molded the beginners into a strong team.
Common combinations
- molded plastic
- The toys are made of molded plastic.
- molded by experience
- His opinions were molded by experience.
- molded into shape
- The dough was molded into small round loaves.
- molded concrete
- A molded concrete bench sat in the park.
- molded to fit
- The grip is molded to fit the hand.
Synonyms and how they differ
- shaped
- Shaped is the general word for giving form, while molded implies pressing into or pouring into a mold.
- cast
- Cast is used for pouring liquid metal or plaster into a mold, so it is narrower than molded.
- formed
- Formed is neutral and says only that something took shape, without suggesting a mold.
- influenced
- Influenced is plain for the figurative use, but molded suggests a deeper, lasting effect on character.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: molded or moldy? molded or moulded?
molded vs moldy
Moldy means covered in the fungus called mold, as in moldy bread. Molded means shaped, and the two should not be mixed up.
molded vs moulded
Moulded is the British spelling of molded and has the same meaning.
Practice
Which sentence uses molded to mean shaped by outside experiences?
Choose one answer.
Only the third sentence uses molded figuratively for personality shaped by experience. The first and fourth are physical shaping and the second would normally be moldy.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “molded”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.