moody

See also: Moody

English

Alternative forms

• moodie (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English mody, modi, from Old English mōdiġ (“brave”), from Proto-Germanic *mōdagaz (“courageous”). By surface analysis, mood +‎ -y.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈmuːdi/

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -uːdi

Adjective

moody (comparative moodier, superlative moodiest)

1. Given to sudden or frequent changes of mind; temperamental.
   • 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], page 4:

     How now? moodie? / What is't thou canſt demand?

2. Sulky or depressed.
3. Dour, gloomy or brooding.
   • 2020 December 2, Paul Bigland, “My weirdest and wackiest Rover yet”, in Rail, page 65:

     There's something special about tidal estuaries, due to the abundance of wildlife and the ever-changing scenes as the water ebbs or rises. Throw in some moody skies and filtered sunlight, and the views can resemble a painting by Turner - only you don't have to go to the National Gallery to see this, it's brought to your seat on a train.

4. (UK, slang) Of dubious origin; counterfeit or stolen.

   Synonym: dodgy

   • 2023, Garry McCarthy, Paula Harding, Tribute to a Hero, page 131:

     Both Garry and Wally were dressed in dodgy suits and looked ready to hit the streets of Peckham to sell moody goods.

Translations

Given to sudden or frequent changes of mind; temperamental

• Czech: náladový, vrtošivý
• Danish: lunefuld, humørsyg
• Finnish: ailahteleva (fi), oikukas (fi)
• French: lunatique (fr)
• German: launisch (de)
• Hungarian: mísz (hu)
• Italian: umorale (it)
• Norman: leuné
• Slovak: náladový, vrtošivý
• Spanish: temperamental

sulky or depressed

• Bulgarian: унил (bg) (unil)
• Danish: melankolsk, vemodig
• Finnish: synkkä (fi), apea (fi)
• French: mélancolique (fr)
• German: mürrisch (de)
• Hebrew: מְצֻבְרָח m (m'tzuvráẖ)
• Indonesian: murung (id)
• Maori: haumaruru
• Scottish Gaelic: dubhach, gruamach
• Spanish: melancólico (es), triste (es)
• Sundanese: angluh

dour, gloomy or brooding

• Finnish: synkkä (fi)
• French: lugubre (fr), taciturne (fr), mélancolique (fr)
• German: schwermütig (de)
• Indonesian: murung (id)
• Japanese: 根暗 (ja) (nekura)
• Maori: haumaruru
• Russian: не в духе (ne v dúxe) (literally: not in a mood)
• Scottish Gaelic: dubhach, gruamach
• Spanish: please add this translation if you can
• Sundanese: angluh

Anagrams

• doomy