moody

• moodie (obsolete)

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

• IPA^(key): /ˈmuːdi/

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -uːdi

moody (comparative moodier, superlative moodiest)

1. Given to sudden or frequent changes of mind; temperamental.

   Synonyms: capricious, fickle

   • 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.

   Synonyms: miserable, unhappy; see also Thesaurus:sad, Thesaurus:sullen

3. Dour, gloomy or brooding.

   Synonyms: joyless, sombre; see also Thesaurus:cheerless

   • 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.

• doomy