musty

adjective \ˈməs-tē\

: having a bad smell because of wetness, old age, or lack of fresh air

must·i·ermust·i·est

Full Definition of MUSTY

a : impaired by damp or mildew : moldy

b : tasting of mold

c : smelling of damp and decay : fusty

a : trite, stale <musty prose>

b (1) : antiquated <musty customs> (2) : superannuated

— must·i·ly \ˈməs-tə-lē\ adverb

— must·i·ness \-tē-nəs\ noun

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Origin of MUSTY

⁴must

First Known Use: 1530

Related to MUSTY

Synonyms: fetid, foul, frowsty [chiefly British], frowsy (or frowzy), funky, fusty, malodorous, noisome, rank, reeking, reeky, ripe, smelly, stenchy, stinking, stinky, strong

Antonyms: ambrosial, aromatic, fragrant, perfumed, redolent, savory (also savoury), scented, sweet

Synonym Discussion of MUSTY

malodorous, stinking, fetid, noisome, putrid, rank, fusty, musty mean bad-smelling. malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive <malodorous fertilizers>. stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting <prisoners were held in stinking cells> <the fetid odor of skunk cabbage>. noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive <a stagnant, noisome sewer>. putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter <the putrid smell of rotting fish>. rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell <rank cigar smoke>. fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age <a fusty attic> <the musty odor of a damp cellar>.