mossy

adjective

ˈmȯ-sē 

mossier; mossiest

1

: resembling moss

2

: covered with moss or something like moss

3

: antiquated

the mossy precepts of the … prescriptive grammarians

—Thomas Pyles

Synonyms

• antiquated
• archaic
• dated
• démodé
• demoded
• fossilized
• kaput
• kaputt
• medieval
• mediaeval
• moribund
• moth-eaten
• neolithic
• Noachian
• obsolete
• out-of-date
• outdated
• outmoded
• outworn
• passé
• prehistoric
• prehistorical
• rusty
• Stone Age
• superannuated

Examples of mossy in a Sentence

mossy rules of etiquette that date from the Victorian era

Recent Examples on the Web

The mossy, mountainous paradise is a UNESCO World Heritage site characterized by year-round rainfall—so pack those waterproof layers. —Anna Mazurek, AFAR Media, 16 Dec. 2024

The candle has scents meant to remind you of mossy stone, smoky birch tree, and eerie fog. —Michelle Mastro, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2024

One appeared to be four stories and was the shade of a looming sandstone cliff, with a mossy green roof. —Nicolette Polek, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024

Met Gala veterans Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo hit this year’s cream and mossy green carpet in looks subtly inspired by their November movie adaptation of beloved Broadway musical Wicked. —Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mossy

• mossy zinc