Mold vs. Mould — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 24, 2024
Mold (US) refers to fungi that grow in multicellular structures, while mould (UK) is the same entity spelled differently; both terms also mean a form used for shaping materials.
Difference Between Mold and Mould
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mold is the American English spelling for a type of fungus that grows in moist, warm conditions, forming multicellular filaments called hyphae. Whereas, mould is the British English equivalent, used in the UK, Canada, Australia, and other Commonwealth nations, indicating the same natural phenomenon.
Mold is not only a biological term but also applies to a hollow container or matrix for shaping materials such as plastic, glass, or metal. On the other hand, mould serves the same purpose in British English, utilized in various manufacturing processes to create a diverse range of products.
In the culinary context, Americans use "mold" to describe a container used to shape food items like gelatin or chocolate. Conversely, British English speakers would refer to the same kitchen tool as a "mould."
In American English, mold is also a verb meaning to shape something, particularly in the context of forming character or behavior. In contrast, in British English, mould is used similarly, emphasizing the influence on personality or growth through various experiences.
Regarding idiomatic usage, Americans might say "break the mold" to describe doing something in an unconventional way. Whereas, Britons would spell this phrase as "break the mould," maintaining the meaning but reflecting the British spelling tradition.
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Comparison Chart
Spelling
Mold
Mould
Usage in industries
Used in American industries
Used in British and Commonwealth industries
Culinary tool
Referred to as "mold"
Referred to as "mould"
Verb usage
To mold: to shape or influence
To mould: to shape or influence
Idiomatic expression
"Break the mold": do something unconventional
"Break the mould": do something unconventional
Compare with Definitions
Mold
Fungi.
The cheese was covered in green mold due to being left out.
Mould
Container for shaping.
He used a mould to create the perfect ice sculpture.
Mold
Container for shaping.
She poured the liquid chocolate into the mold.
Mould
Fungi.
The bread in the cupboard has developed some mould on it.
Mold
To influence.
His mentor helped mold his career in science.
Mould
Soil richness indicator.
Mould is often found in fertile gardening soil.
Mold
Decay or degrade.
The old book's pages had begun to mold.
Mould
Decay or degrade.
The wet weather caused the wooden frames to mould.
Mold
Soil richness indicator.
Mold can indicate rich organic material in soil.
Mould
To influence.
Her early experiences moulded her into a strong, independent woman.
Mold
A mold (US) or mould (UK, NZ, AU, ZA, IN, CA, IE) is a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. In contrast, fungi that can adopt a single-celled growth habit are called yeasts.
Mould
A hollow container used to give shape to molten or hot liquid material when it cools and hardens
A jelly mould
The smith would pour the molten metal into the shaped mould
Mold
A town in north-eastern Wales, administrative centre of Flintshire; population 10,500 (est. 2009).
Mould
A distinctive and typical style, form, or character
He's a superb striker in the same mould as Gary Lineker
He planned to conquer the world as a roving reporter in the mould of his hero
Mold
A hollow form or matrix for shaping a fluid or plastic substance.
Mould
A frame or template for producing mouldings
All the moulds, masters or originals, had been kept for reference
Mold
A frame or model around or on which something is formed or shaped.
Mould
A furry growth of minute fungi occurring typically in moist warm conditions, especially on food or other organic matter
Moist food becomes covered with moulds
Mould may flourish unhindered
Mold
Something that is made in or shaped on a mold.
Mould
Soft loose earth
The ground was soft and damp, with old leaves thick in the mould
Mold
The shape or pattern of a mold.
Mould
Form (an object) out of malleable material
Mould the figure from white fondant
Mold
General shape or form
The oval mold of her face.
Mould
(of a column, ceiling, or other part of a building) having a decorative moulding
A corridor with a moulded cornice
Mold
Distinctive character or type
A leader in the mold of her predecessors.
Mould
Variant of mold1.
Mold
A fixed or restrictive pattern or form
A method of scientific investigation that broke the mold and led to a new discovery.
Mould
Variant of mold2.
Mold
(Architecture) See molding.
Mould
Variant of mold3.
Mold
Any of various filamentous fungi that grow on and contribute to the decay of organic matter.
Mould
Standard spelling of from2=Canadian form
Mold
A growth of such fungi.
Mould
Alternative spelling of mold
Mold
Any of various other saprophytic or parasitic organisms that resemble fungi, such as slime molds or water molds.
Mould
Alternative spelling of mold#Etymology_3
Mold
Loose friable soil, rich in humus and fit for planting.
Mould
Standard spelling of from2=Canadian form
Mold
The earth; the ground.
Mould
Alternative spelling of mold
Mold
The earth of the grave.
Mould
See Mold, Molder, Moldy, etc.
Mold
(Archaic) Earth as the substance of the human body.
Mould
Loose soil rich in organic matter
Mold
To form (something) out of a fluid or plastic material
Molded a cup out of clay.
Mould
A fungus that produces a superficial growth on various kinds of damp or decaying organic matter
Mold
To form into a particular shape; give shape to
Molded the clay into a ball.
Mould
Sculpture produced by molding
Mold
To guide or determine the growth or development of; influence
A teacher who helps to mold the minds of his students.
Mould
Container into which liquid is poured to create a given shape when it hardens
Mold
To fit closely by following the contours of (the body). Used of clothing.
Mould
Form in clay, wax, etc;
Model a head with clay
Mold
To assume a certain shape
Shoes that gradually molded to my feet.
Mould
Form by pouring (e.g., wax or hot metal) into a cast or mold;
Cast a bronze sculpture
Mold
To become moldy.
Mould
Make something, usually for a specific function;
She molded the riceballs carefully
Form cylinders from the dough
Shape a figure
Work the metal into a sword
Mold
A hollow form or matrix for shaping a fluid or plastic substance.
Mold
A frame or model around or on which something is formed or shaped.
Mold
Something that is made in or shaped on a mold.
Mold
The shape or pattern of a mold.
Mold
General shape or form.
The oval mold of her face
Mold
Distinctive character or type.
A leader in the mold of her predecessors
Mold
A fixed or restrictive pattern or form.
His method of scientific investigation broke the mold and led to a new discovery.
Mold
(architecture) A group of moldings.
The arch mold of a porch or doorway;
The pier mold of a Gothic pier, meaning the whole profile, section, or combination of parts
Mold
(anatomy) A fontanelle.
Mold
A natural substance in the form of a woolly or furry growth of tiny fungi that appears when organic material lies for a long time exposed to (usually warm and moist) air.
Mold
A fungus that creates such colored, furry growths.
Mold
Loose friable soil, rich in humus and fit for planting.
Mold
Earth, ground.
Mold
The top or crown of the head.
Mold
(transitive) To shape in or on a mold; to form into a particular shape; to give shape to.
Mold
(transitive) To guide or determine the growth or development of; influence
Mold
(transitive) To fit closely by following the contours of.
Mold
(transitive) To make a mold of or from (molten metal, for example) before casting.
Mold
(transitive) To ornament with moldings.
Mold
(intransitive) To be shaped in or as if in a mold.
These shoes gradually molded to my feet.
Mold
(transitive) To cause to become moldy; to cause mold to grow upon.
Mold
(intransitive) To become moldy; to be covered or filled, in whole or in part, with a mold.
Mold
To cover with mold or soil.
Mold
A spot; a blemish; a mole.
Mold
Crumbling, soft, friable earth; esp., earth containing the remains or constituents of organic matter, and suited to the growth of plants; soil.
Mold
Earthy material; the matter of which anything is formed; composing substance; material.
The etherial mold,Incapable of stain.
Nature formed me of her softest mold.
Mold
A growth of minute fungi of various kinds, esp. those of the great groups Hyphomycetes, and Physomycetes, forming on damp or decaying organic matter.
Mold
The matrix, or cavity, in which anything is shaped, and from which it takes its form; also, the body or mass containing the cavity; as, a sand mold; a jelly mold.
Mold
That on which, or in accordance with which, anything is modeled or formed; anything which serves to regulate the size, form, etc., as the pattern or templet used by a shipbuilder, carpenter, or mason.
The glass of fashion and the mold of form.
Mold
Cast; form; shape; character.
Crowned with an architrave of antique mold.
Mold
A group of moldings; as, the arch mold of a porch or doorway; the pier mold of a Gothic pier, meaning the whole profile, section, or combination of parts.
Mold
A fontanel.
Mold
A frame with a wire cloth bottom, on which the pump is drained to form a sheet, in making paper by hand.
Mold
To cover with mold or soil.
Mold
To cause to become moldy; to cause mold to grow upon.
Mold
To become moldy; to be covered or filled, in whole or in part, with a mold.
Mold
To form into a particular shape; to shape; to model; to fashion.
He forgeth and moldeth metals.
Did I request thee, Maker, from my clayTo mold me man?
Mold
To ornament by molding or carving the material of; as, a molded window jamb.
Mold
To knead; as, to mold dough or bread.
Mold
To form a mold of, as in sand, in which a casting may be made.
Mold
The distinctive form in which a thing is made;
Pottery of this cast was found throughout the region
Mold
Container into which liquid is poured to create a given shape when it hardens
Mold
Loose soil rich in organic matter
Mold
The process of becoming mildewed
Mold
A fungus that produces a superficial growth on various kinds of damp or decaying organic matter
Mold
Sculpture produced by molding
Mold
Form in clay, wax, etc;
Model a head with clay
Mold
Become moldy; spoil due to humidity;
The furniture molded in the old house
Mold
Form by pouring (e.g., wax or hot metal) into a cast or mold;
Cast a bronze sculpture
Mold
Make something, usually for a specific function;
She molded the riceballs carefully
Form cylinders from the dough
Shape a figure
Work the metal into a sword
Mold
Fit tightly, follow the contours of;
The dress molds her beautiful figure
Mold
Shape or influence; give direction to;
Experience often determines ability
Mold public opinion
Common Curiosities
Can mould be beneficial?
Yes, some moulds are beneficial for making antibiotics like penicillin or used in food production, like cheese.
What is mould?
Mould is the British spelling for mold, referring to the same type of fungi.
How does mold affect health?
Mold can cause allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and other health problems when inhaled.
Is mold dangerous in homes?
Yes, indoor mold growth can lead to health issues and damage to materials, requiring remediation.
What does it mean to mold someone’s character?
To mold someone’s character means to shape or influence their development and personality traits.
Why are there two different spellings for mold/mould?
The different spellings result from variations in American and British English.
What is mold?
Mold is a fungus that grows in multicellular filaments called hyphae, thriving in moist environments.
How can mould be removed?
Mould can be removed with cleaning solutions like bleach and water, and by controlling humidity in the environment.
What does the phrase 'break the mould' mean?
It means to do something innovative or unconventional, different from the norm.
Can mold be used in cooking?
Yes, mold is used in cooking, particularly as a description for a shaping container.
Are mold and mould pronounced the same?
Yes, both words are pronounced the same way despite the different spellings.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
