moody
UK: ˈmuːdi | US: ˈmuːdi
adj. 1. (of a person) prone to frequent changes in emotional state; temperamental.
adj. 2. (of an atmosphere, artwork, etc.) expressing or evoking a somber or melancholic feeling.
moody = mood<emotional state> + y<adjective suffix>
- mood: From Old English mōd (mind, spirit, courage), later evolving to mean "emotional state" (14th c.).
- y: A productive English suffix forming adjectives (e.g., sunny, windy), indicating "characterized by or inclined to."
Etymology Origin:
The word moody emerged in Middle English (14th c.) by combining mood (originally "mind" or "spirit") with the suffix -y. Over time, mood narrowed to denote emotional states, and moody came to describe someone whose emotions shift unpredictably or a somber ambiance. The suffix -y reinforces the trait-like quality, akin to cloudy or sleepy.
She became moody after hearing the disappointing news.
The film’s moody cinematography perfectly captured the protagonist’s loneliness.
Teenagers are often moody due to hormonal changes.
His moody behavior made it hard to predict his reactions.
The painting’s moody tones evoked a sense of mystery.