mould

Everyday

1. Mould is a soft, furry growth, often green, white, blue or black, that grows on old food or damp walls; it is a kind of fungus. tree →
2. A mould is a hollow container that you pour a liquid into so it sets in that shape, like a jelly mould. tree →
3. To mould means to press or shape something soft, like clay, into a shape. tree →
4. To mould someone means to influence how they grow up and become. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons: mould is a living thing (a fungus) that grows from tiny spores, likes warm, damp places and helps break down dead things; children watch bread go mouldy as an experiment. Safety: never eat mouldy food and don't sniff mould, because it can make you ill; damp, mouldy rooms are bad for breathing. In art: moulding clay and using moulds. Penicillin, a medicine, was found in a mould. Phrases: «covered in mould», «mouldy bread», «jelly mould», «break the mould» (do something new).

Examples

• The bread was covered in green mould. tree →
• Don't eat food with mould on it. tree →
• We watched mould grow on bread for our science experiment. tree →
• Mould grows in warm, damp places. tree →
• Pour the jelly into the mould and let it set. tree →
• She moulded the clay into a little bowl. tree →
• Penicillin was discovered in a mould. tree →
• Open a window to stop mould growing in the bathroom. tree →
• "It is really necessary that I should mould the clay myself," he replied. tree →

Note

Spelling: «mould» (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada) and «mold» (US). Adjective: «mouldy / moldy». Mould is a fungus, like mushrooms, not a plant. Cutting mould off soft food does not make it safe, because mould grows roots inside.