Definition

1. Noun:

   • A hollow container used to give shape to molten or liquid material when it hardens: A "mould" is a frame or template used to form something.
   • A furry growth of minute fungi occurring in moist, warm conditions: "Mould" refers to a fungus that grows on organic matter.
   • A distinctive type, style, or character: "Mould" can describe a particular nature or pattern.
   • Loose, soft soil rich in organic matter: "Mould" is a type of earth, especially topsoil.

2. Verb:

   • To form (an object) out of a soft substance: "Mould" means to shape a pliable material with your hands or a tool.
   • To give a shape to (a molten or ductile material) by pouring or pressing it into a mould: "Mould" means to form something using a hollow container.
   • To influence the formation or development of: "Mould" can mean to guide or shape someone's character or ideas.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • Pour the liquid plaster into the mould to make a statue.
  • Throw that bread away; it has green mould on it.
  • The new manager is a leader in a different mould.
  • The plants thrive in the rich garden mould.

• Verb:

  • She moulded the clay into a beautiful vase.
  • The factory moulds plastic into various components.
  • His early experiences moulded his political views.

Advanced Usage

• "To break the mould": To do something in a new and different way; to be innovative.

  • Her revolutionary design broke the mould of traditional architecture.

• "Cast in the same mould": Very similar in character or nature.

  • The two brothers are cast in the same mould; they are both incredibly stubborn.

Variants and Related Words

• Mold: The standard American English spelling of "mould".
• Moulding/Molding (n): 1. A shaped strip of wood or other material used as a decorative feature. 2. The process of shaping something.
• Mouldy/Moldy (adj): Covered with or smelling of mould.
  • The cheese was old and mouldy.

Synonyms

• Noun (Container): Cast, die, form, matrix, template.
• Noun (Fungus): Mildew, fungus, blight.
• Verb (Shape): Form, shape, fashion, model, sculpt, work.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• Mould into: To shape or develop someone/something into a particular form.

  • The coach moulded the young athletes into a championship team.

• Mould from/out of: To make something by shaping a particular material.

  • The artist moulded a figure from wet clay.

Related Idioms

• Fit the mould: To match a standard type or pattern.

  • He didn't fit the mould of a typical corporate executive.

• Set in a mould: Fixed in a particular pattern, often rigid and unchanging.

  • Their traditions were set in a mould and difficult to alter.

Noun

1. container into which liquid is poured to create a given shape when it hardens
2. sculpture produced by molding
3. a distinctive nature, character, or type
   • a leader in the mold of her predecessors
4. a dish or dessert that is formed in or on a mold
   • a lobster mold
   • a gelatin dessert made in a mold
5. a fungus that produces a superficial growth on various kinds of damp or decaying organic matter
6. the process of becoming mildewed
7. the distinctive form in which a thing is made
   • pottery of this cast was found throughout the region
8. loose soil rich in organic matter

Verb

1. make something, usually for a specific function
   • She molded the rice balls carefully
   • Form cylinders from the dough
   • shape a figure
   • Work the metal into a sword
2. form by pouring (e.g., wax or hot metal) into a cast or mold
   • cast a bronze sculpture
3. form in clay, wax, etc
   • model a head with clay