fustiness

fustiness — 名詞

1. a stale smell caused by a place or object being closed and unused for a long tim

1.名詞C1
釋義

霉味；陳腐

封閉潮濕的霉味；守舊觀念

a stale smell caused by a place or object being closed and unused for a long time, often combined with dampness — also used figuratively to describe ideas, customs, or styles that seem very old‑fashioned and lacking freshness.

例句

Diya stepped into the attic and was greeted by a wave of fustiness.

Diya 一踏進閣樓，一股霉味就迎面撲來。

collocation: wave of fustiness

The old bookshop had a pleasant fustiness that reminded Linh of her grandfather's study.

那間舊書店有股令人舒服的霉味，讓 Linh 想起祖父的書房。

uncountable noun with adjective modifier: a pleasant fustiness

同義詞
  • mustiness

    focuses more on the damp, mouldy aspect of the smell, while fustiness also includes the sense of being closed and unused

  • stuffiness

    emphasises lack of fresh air rather than age; can also mean a formal, stiff atmosphere

  • staleness

    more general — can apply to food, air, or ideas; less specific to old buildings

  • moldiness

    specifically the smell of mould or mildew; a narrower, more physical sense

反義詞
  • freshness

    opposite in both the literal sense (clean, well‑aired) and figurative sense (modern, innovative)

文法句型

fustiness + of + noun phrase

fustiness of [place/object]

用法筆記

The figurative meaning (old‑fashioned attitudes or ideas) is common in formal criticism and reviews. The literal meaning (stale smell) is the more frequent everyday use. The word is uncountable and does not take an article in generic statements.

常見錯誤

❌The book had a strong fustiness smell.
✅The book had a strong fustiness.
💡'fustiness' already includes the quality of smell; do not add 'smell' after it.
❌There were fustinesses in several rooms.
✅There was fustiness in several rooms.
💡'fustiness' is uncountable and takes a singular verb.