WordGarden.iomildew
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈɪldjuː/
US
- /ˈmɪlˌdu/
Meanings
Noun
a thin fungal growth that forms on damp plants, fabric, walls, or other surfaces
Verb
to become covered with mildew or to cause that growth
Beyond the definition
Mildew is not something you want to find in your basement. It is that thin, often white or gray growth that shows up on damp surfaces. Think of old books left in a leaky attic, or clothes forgotten at the bottom of a laundry basket. It grows where there is moisture and poor air flow, and it can ruin fabric, paper, and even parts of a building. A musty smell is often the first sign.
Mildew is not just a surface stain. It can also cause health problems for some people. People often use it as if it means the same thing as "mold," but mildew usually refers to a thin growth on the surface. In a detective story, it would be the visible clue that tells you dampness has been there for a while.
Mildew is a type of fungus that grows when a place is damp and does not have enough ventilation. It often appears as a white, gray, or slightly yellow coating on surfaces such as fabric, paper, leather, wood, or walls. Think of the thin growth on an old shower curtain, forgotten laundry left in a humid room, or books stored in a damp basement. That is likely mildew at work.
The word "mildew" often brings to mind age and neglect, so it appears naturally in stories about old houses or abandoned places. A writer might use it to build atmosphere: a musty smell and a pale growth on the wall can suggest that a place has been wet, closed up, and forgotten for years. "The attic was filled with the scent of dust and mildew, as if time itself had begun to decay," shows how the word can work in descriptive writing.
Mildew is often confused with mold. In everyday use, mildew usually means a thin fungal growth on the surface, while mold is a broader word and can spread more deeply into material. Mildew can often be cleaned away, but the damp conditions that caused it still need to be fixed.
Both mildew and mold can be a problem, especially for people with allergies or breathing trouble. Ignoring mildew is not just about looks; it can also mean ignoring the moisture problem behind it. So if you notice that telltale growth and musty smell, it is time to dry the area, clean the surface, and deal with the dampness that let it grow.
Examples
- 1
Bathroom
There was mildew on the bathroom ceiling.
- 2
Damp towels
The towels smelled of mildew because they never dried properly.
- 3
Prevention
Keep the windows open after a shower to stop mildew from growing.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- mildewnounverb
Forms
- mildewedpast tenseverbnoun
- mildewsverbnoun
- mildewing-ing formverbnoun