moth-eaten

IPA/ˈmɒθ iːtn/
IPA/ˈmɔːθ iːtn/

moth-eaten — adjective

1. describes cloth, soft furnishings, or similar things that have been left with ho

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describes cloth, soft furnishings, or similar things that have been left with holes or thin damaged areas because moth larvae have fed on them.

例句

Yumi pulled a moth-eaten wool coat from the attic trunk.

moth-eaten + stored clothing

The hostel gave us moth-eaten blankets that left lint on our pyjamas.

同義詞
  • threadbare

    often means fabric has become very thin from long use, not necessarily insect damage

  • hole-ridden

    focuses on having many holes, without suggesting the cause

  • ragged

    broader and rougher, often for torn edges or a messy appearance

反義詞

文法句型

moth-eaten + clothing / blanket / carpet

look / seem + moth-eaten

用法筆記

Most often used for wool clothes, blankets, carpets, curtains, and similar things that have been stored for a long time. It usually appears before a noun, but 'look' or 'seem moth-eaten' is also common when the holes are easy to see.

常見錯誤

❌The coat is moth-eaten because the style is old.
✅The coat is moth-eaten because insects have damaged the fabric.' / 'The style is outdated.
💡sense 1 is about actual physical damage, not simply an old design.

2. describes a place, room, piece of furniture, or set of things that looks tired,

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describes a place, room, piece of furniture, or set of things that looks tired, neglected, and poor because it has not been repaired or refreshed for a long time.

例句

Anthony rented a moth-eaten room above the station for one month.

moth-eaten + room

The cafe still had moth-eaten curtains and cracked plastic menus.

同義詞
  • shabby

    the everyday choice for something scruffy and poor-looking

  • run-down

    common for buildings or areas that have not been maintained

  • dilapidated

    stronger and more formal, especially for serious physical decay

反義詞
  • smart

    neat and attractively presented

  • well-kept

    carefully maintained and tidy

文法句型

moth-eaten + room / sofa / office

look / feel + moth-eaten

用法筆記

This is a figurative extension of sense 1. Use it when a place or object seems run down and badly cared for, not just because it is old but because its poor condition is easy to notice.

常見錯誤

❌The museum is moth-eaten because it was built in 1820.
✅The museum looks moth-eaten because the paint is peeling and the furniture is shabby.
💡this sense is about neglected condition, not age alone.

3. describes an idea, joke, argument, style, or method that feels stale because it

3.形容詞C1
釋義

describes an idea, joke, argument, style, or method that feels stale because it belongs to an earlier time and no longer seems fresh or effective.

例句

The columnist repeated the same moth-eaten joke about students and phones.

moth-eaten + joke

Her boss used moth-eaten sales methods that no one trusted anymore.

同義詞
  • outdated

    the broad everyday word for no longer fitting the present

  • stale

    especially for jokes, ideas, or styles that have lost freshness

  • shopworn

    often used for old, overused ideas or phrases

反義詞

文法句型

moth-eaten + joke / argument / slogan

sound / seem + moth-eaten

用法筆記

Usually used critically for jokes, opinions, arguments, methods, and similar things that feel tired from overuse. Distinguish it from sense 2: this sense is about lack of freshness or originality rather than visible physical condition.

常見錯誤

❌My phone is moth-eaten, so I need a new one.
✅My phone is outdated.' / 'That campaign slogan sounds moth-eaten.
💡sense 3 is mainly for ideas, jokes, arguments, and methods, not for ordinary machines.