Meaning & use
molds
Last updated
“molds” is a form of “mold”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nouncountable or uncountablebiology
Tiny fungi that grow on old food or damp surfaces, often appearing as a fuzzy green, blue, or white layer.
Grammar: Can be countable when referring to different types (e.g., various molds) or uncountable when referring to the substance in general (e.g., covered in mold).
Patterns
- mold grows on something
- a type of mold
- covered in mold
There were black molds growing on the bathroom ceiling.
She threw away the bread because it was covered in mold.
Some molds are used to make cheese like blue cheese.
nouncountable
A hollow container with a particular shape, used to make objects by pouring in a liquid that then becomes solid.
Grammar: Countable; often used in the plural when talking about multiple containers or types of containers.
Patterns
- a mold for something
- pour something into a mold
- in a mold
The factory uses metal molds to make car parts.
She poured the melted chocolate into small molds.
These plastic molds are perfect for making ice cubes.
verbtransitive
To shape a soft substance by pressing or pouring it into a particular form.
Grammar: Takes an object: mold the clay.
Patterns
- mold something into something
- mold something from something
- mold something out of something
He molded the clay into a small bowl.
The artist molds figures out of wax.
She molded the dough into a loaf shape.
verbtransitivefigurative
To influence the development of someone's character or ideas.
Grammar: Takes an object; often used in passive: be molded by something.
Patterns
- mold someone's character
- mold someone into something
- be molded by something
His early experiences molded his attitude toward work.
Good teachers can mold young minds.
She was molded into a confident leader by her mentor.
Word forms
| singular | mold |
|---|---|
| third person singular | molds |
| past tense | molded |
| past participle | molded |
| -ing form | molding |
Common combinations
- mold grows
- Mold grows quickly in warm, damp conditions.
- remove mold
- You need to remove the mold from the walls before painting.
- a mold for
- They bought a silicone mold for making cupcakes.
- mold something into
- The potter molded the clay into a vase.
- mold someone's mind
- Advertising can mold people's minds without them realizing.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fungus
- Fungus is a broader term that includes molds, mushrooms, and yeasts; mold is a specific type of fungus.
- shape
- Shape is a more general verb for giving form to something; mold often suggests using a container or pressing with the hands.
- form
- Form can mean to create or develop something; mold is more specific to shaping a soft material or influencing character.
Word family
Commonly confused: molds or mould? molds or molt?
molds vs mould
Mould is the British spelling of the same word; mold is the American spelling.
molds vs molt
Molt means to lose feathers, hair, or skin, and is pronounced differently; don't confuse it with mold.
Practice
The cheese was covered in a fuzzy green ______.
Choose one answer.
Mold is the correct uncountable noun here, meaning the fungus. 'Molds' would be plural but is not used in this context because we're talking about the substance in general. 'Molding' is a different noun (a strip), and 'moldy' is an adjective.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “molds”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.