mold
/məʊld/ (bre, ipa) · [mˈold] /məʊld/ (ame, ipa) · [mˈold] /ˈmōld/ (ame, mw)
mold — noun
1. a hollow form used to give a specific shape to something soft or liquid that set
a hollow form used to give a specific shape to something soft or liquid that sets inside it, for example in cooking, metalworking, or plastic manufacturing
Walid poured the melted wax into a silicone mold shaped like a star.
melted wax into a silicone mold
The baker pressed the cookie dough into a flower-shaped mold before baking.
cookie dough into a flower-shaped mold
Mei-Lin filled each mold with hot resin at the plant and waited for it to cool into buttons.
Élise bought a jello mold in the shape of a fish for the party.
常見錯誤
2. a particular style, nature, or set of qualities that is typical of a person, gro
a particular style, nature, or set of qualities that is typical of a person, group, or thing
Christopher is a teacher in the classic mold of the old-school professors.
in the classic mold of
Esme's minimalist furniture line broke the mold of traditional Scandinavian design.
broke the mold of
Walid comes from a different mold than most politicians in the city.
The principal tried to fit every student into the same academic mold, ignoring their individual talents.
用法筆記
Often used in fixed phrases such as 'in the mold of X' (meaning similar to X) and 'break the mold' (meaning to do something new and different).
常見錯誤
3. a soft, fuzzy layer of fungus that grows in wet or rotting places such as old fo
a soft, fuzzy layer of fungus that grows in wet or rotting places such as old food, damp walls, or fallen leaves
Wei found green mold growing on the bread that had been left out too long.
green mold growing on bread
The bathroom ceiling had black mold in the corner where moisture collected.
black mold in the corner
Rania scraped the gray mold off the old cheese before eating it.
Wei found black mold spreading across the basement walls after the heavy spring rains.
用法筆記
Uncountable in everyday use ('there is mold on the bread'), but can be countable when referring to specific types or strains ('many molds are used in cheese production').
常見錯誤
4. an object, dish, or sculpture that has been formed by pouring a substance into a
an object, dish, or sculpture that has been formed by pouring a substance into a mold and letting it harden
Rania presented a gelatin mold at the dinner party, its surface dotted with fresh raspberries.
gelatin mold
Hari served a raspberry mold shaped like a ring for dessert.
The shelf held plaster molds of seashells that the children had made at summer camp.
The panna cotta molds on the dessert tray jiggled slightly as Aoi carried them to the table.
- casting
implies a metal or plaster object formed in a mold
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (SHAPING CONTAINER): this sense refers to the finished object that comes out of the mold, not the container itself.
5. loose, rich soil that contains decayed leaves and other organic matter, making i
loose, rich soil that contains decayed leaves and other organic matter, making it good for plant growth
The gardener mixed leaf mold into the flower bed to enrich the soil.
leaf mold
Hui scooped a handful of dark, crumbly mold from the compost heap.
The floor of Muir Woods was covered with a thick layer of mold and redwood needles.
Bao added several bags of mold to the garden before planting tomatoes.
用法筆記
Often used in the compound 'leaf mold' to refer specifically to decomposed leaves used as a soil conditioner.
6. a long, narrow strip of material used as decoration along walls, ceilings, door
a long, narrow strip of material used as decoration along walls, ceilings, door frames, or furniture edges
The carpenter installed wooden mold along the top of the living room wall.
installed wooden mold
The old house had intricate crown mold in every room.
crown mold
Wei painted the picture-frame mold a glossy white to match the trim.
Walid replaced the damaged mold around the doorway with a simpler design.
- trim
a broader term that includes both functional and decorative edging
用法筆記
More commonly referred to as 'molding' in modern US English, though 'mold' is used in carpentry and architecture as a shorter form.
7. a frame or support around which something is built, shaped, or formed, especiall
a frame or support around which something is built, shaped, or formed, especially in shoemaking, hat-making, or sculpture
The shoemaker placed the leather over the wooden mold to form the boot.
wooden mold to form the boot
A wire mold was used as the base for the papier-mâché sculpture.
The hat maker shaped the felt over a hat mold to get the right size.
Rania built a wire mold to support the clay while it dried.
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with sense 1 (SHAPING CONTAINER) but differs in that the frame does not contain the material — the material is shaped over or around it.
mold — verb
- moldpresent simple I / you / we / they
- molds3rd person singular
- molding-ing form
- moldedpast simple
1. to press, squeeze, or work a soft material like clay, dough, or wax with the han
to press, squeeze, or work a soft material like clay, dough, or wax with the hands to give it a particular shape or texture
Christopher molded the clay into a small bowl on the potter's wheel.
molded the clay into
Bao molded the bread dough into round rolls before putting them in the oven.
The children molded the wet sand into a castle on the beach.
Vinícius molded the wax with his fingers until it became soft and smooth.
文法句型
mold + object + into + shape
2. to make a solid object by pouring a liquid substance such as metal, plastic, or
to make a solid object by pouring a liquid substance such as metal, plastic, or wax into a mold and letting it harden into a fixed shape
A factory in Detroit molds plastic panels for truck dashboards.
molds plastic panels for
Ezra molded the silver into a ring by pouring it into a cast.
Imran poured the molten pewter into a snake-shaped mold at his workshop.
Hui molded the chocolate into tiny seashell shapes for the party.
文法句型
mold + object + into/from + material
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb sense 1 (WORK MATERIAL): sense 1 uses direct hand pressure, while sense 2 involves pouring into a container and letting the material set.
3. to have a strong influence on the character, opinions, or development of a perso
to have a strong influence on the character, opinions, or development of a person or thing
Growing up on a farm molded Jabari's strong work ethic.
molded Jabari's strong work ethic
The teachers helped mold the students into responsible young adults.
mold the students into
Growing up with three older brothers molded Maja's competitive personality from an early age.
Rania's travels abroad molded her views on different cultures.
文法句型
mold + object
mold + object + into + noun
4. to design, create, or adjust something so that it fits a particular purpose, aud
to design, create, or adjust something so that it fits a particular purpose, audience, or situation
Coach Rivera molded the after-school program to meet the needs of beginner swimmers.
molded the after-school program
Wei molded his speech to suit the interests of the business audience.
The architect molded the design around the family's daily routines.
The coach molded the training plan around each athlete's strengths.
文法句型
mold + object + to/for + purpose
用法筆記
Overlaps with verb sense 3 (SHAPE CHARACTER) but focuses on deliberate design for a functional purpose rather than influencing personal development.
5. to fit closely to the shape or curves of something, following its outline tightl
to fit closely to the shape or curves of something, following its outline tightly
The dress molded tightly to Élise's body as she walked.
molded tightly to Élise's body
The leather seat had molded to the driver's shape over the years.
molded to the driver's shape
The wet fabric molded itself to the contours of the rock.
The shoes molded to Wei's feet after a few weeks of wear.
文法句型
mold + to + noun
mold + oneself/itself + to + noun
用法筆記
Often used for clothing, shoes, or materials that gradually take on the shape of whatever they cover. Can be transitive ('the dress molded her figure') or intransitive ('the dress molded to her figure').
常見錯誤
6. to add decorative strips or carved patterns to a surface such as a wall, ceiling
to add decorative strips or carved patterns to a surface such as a wall, ceiling, or piece of furniture
The craftsman molded the ceiling with ornate plaster borders.
molded the ceiling with
The cabinet doors were molded with detailed floral carvings.
were molded with
Hui molded the picture frames with gold leaf and wood trim.
The historic theater was molded with intricate crown decorations.
- ornament
more general; 'mold' is specific to adding shaped strips or carvings
文法句型
mold + object + with + material
用法筆記
In modern US English, this sense is less common than the noun form 'molding'. It is mostly used in descriptions of traditional craftsmanship.
7. to become covered with mold or mildew because of damp conditions
to become covered with mold or mildew because of damp conditions
The bread molded after being left in the plastic bag for two weeks.
bread molded after
The old books in the basement had molded because of the leaky pipe.
If you store strawberries in a damp basement, they will mold within a few days.
Wei threw away the cheese because it had started to mold.
- go moldy
a more conversational phrasal form; 'mold' as a verb is slightly more formal
用法筆記
Intransitive only — you cannot 'mold something' in this sense. To express the causative idea, use 'make something moldy' or 'cause something to mold'.