French Conversation · Level 186
15 words
French word
moisir
Pronunciation
IPA/mwaziʁ/
Meaning
- verbmold
Example
Le pain moisit rapidement dans la boîte.
The bread quickly molds in the box.
More examples
Le fromage moisit si on le laisse dehors.
The cheese gets moldy if you leave it out.
Core concept
A damp food or surface develops a patchy mold coating and a musty smell.
Common phrases
le pain moisit
The bread grows mold
la salle de bain moisit
The bathroom develops mold
Similar words
pourrir: Spoil through bacterial or enzymatic decay, becoming soft and changing in smell and color.
gâter: Go bad by losing freshness, with poorer taste and appearance, until no longer edible.
s'abîmer: Become damaged over time or through poor handling, impairing use or appearance.
Definition in French
Se couvrir de moisissures et parfois dégager une odeur de moisi, surtout en présence d'humidité.
Word origin
The verb moisir is formed from the adjective moisi with the verb-forming ending -ir, retaining the sense of becoming moldy.
Usage tips
- The change is expressed with moisir, as in le pain moisit, while the resulting state uses moisi, as in du pain moisi.
Other meanings
- become mustyverb
Related words
- moisimoldyadjective
- moisissuremoldnoun