mold

/moʊld/
verb
  1. To shape a soft material into a particular form.
    • You can mold the dough into small balls before baking.
    • The children molded sand into castles at the beach.
    • The artist used her hands to mold the clay into a vase.
  2. To influence or control the development of someone or something.
    • Good teachers help mold young minds and encourage curiosity.
    • His experiences in the army molded him into a disciplined person.
    • The company's culture is molded by its founder's values.
  3. To become covered with mold (the fungus).
    • The old bread started to mold after a week in the pantry.
    • If you leave the fruit in a damp bag, it will quickly mold.
    • We forgot to clean the refrigerator, and some leftovers molded.
noun
  1. A soft, fuzzy growth that appears on food or damp surfaces, caused by tiny fungi.
    • The bathroom ceiling has black mold from all the moisture.
    • Cheese like blue cheese is made using a special type of mold.
    • I had to throw away the bread because it was covered in green mold.
  2. A hollow container used to give shape to a liquid or soft material as it hardens.
    • To make the candle, you need to fill the mold with wax and wait for it to cool.
    • The factory uses a metal mold to make plastic toys.
    • She poured the melted chocolate into a heart-shaped mold.
  3. A particular style, type, or character of something.
    • The new smartphone breaks the mold of traditional design.
    • He is a leader in the mold of his grandfather, who was also a teacher.
    • Her paintings are cast in a modern mold, with bright colors and bold shapes.