musty Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite covered with or smelling of mold
    mouldy; moldy.
    • moldy bread
    • a moldy (or musty) odor
  2. adjective satellite stale and unclean smelling
    fusty; frowsty.

WordNet

Mus"ty adjective
Etymology
From L. mustum must; or perh. fr. E. moist. Cf. Must, n., Moist.
Wordforms
comparative Mustier ; superlative Mustiest
Definitions
  1. Having the rank, pungent, offencive odor and taste which substances of organic origin acquire during warm, moist weather; foul or sour and fetid; moldy; as, musty corn; musty books. Harvey.
  2. Spoiled by age; rank; stale.
    The proverb is somewhat musty. Shak.
  3. Dull; heavy; spiritless. "That he may not grow musty and unfit for conversation." Addison.

Webster 1913