WordGarden.io
Back to search

moodiness

B2
noun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /mˈuːdɪnəs/

US

  • /mˈuːdinəs/

Description

Moodiness describes emotions that change quickly, almost like the weather. One minute someone might be cheerful, and the next they may seem quiet, annoyed, or withdrawn. It is not always bad, but it does suggest that a person's feelings are not steady. Think of a character in a novel whose emotional state is hard to predict; that is moodiness in action.

Sometimes moodiness is temporary and comes from stress, tiredness, or other pressures. Other times it can be a more regular part of someone's personality. A teenager going through hormonal changes might show this kind of behavior. It is important to remember that everyone has changes in emotion, but moodiness suggests these changes happen often and may seem to come without a clear reason.

Examples

  1. 1

    Family tension

    His moodiness lately has made family dinners tense.

  2. 2

    Teenagers

    A little moodiness is common in teenagers, especially when they're tired or stressed.

  3. 3

    Lack of sleep

    She blamed her sudden moodiness on lack of sleep.

  4. 4

    Medication effects

    If the new medication is causing moodiness, tell your doctor.

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • moodinessnoun