1. countable noun [oft adjective NOUN, oft inNOUN]
Your mood is the way you are feeling at a particular time. If you are in a good mood, you feel cheerful. If you are in a bad mood, you feel angry and impatient.
He is clearly in a good mood today.
When he came back, he was in a foul mood.
Lily was in one of her aggressive moods.
His moods swing alarmingly.
See in the mood for/to
2. countable noun [oft in aN]
If someone is in amood, the way they are behaving shows that they are feeling angry and impatient.
She was obviously in a mood.
Synonyms: depression, sulk, bad temper, blues More Synonyms of mood
3. singular noun [oft with poss]
Themood of a group of people is the way that they think and feel about an idea, event, or question at a particular time.
The government seemed to be in tune with the popular mood.
They largely misread the mood of the electorate. [+ of]
4. countable noun
The mood of a place is the general impression that you get of it.
First, set the mood with music.
I wanted different moods in each room.
Synonyms: atmosphere, feeling, feel, spirit More Synonyms of mood
5. variable noun
In grammar, the mood of a clause is the way in which the verb forms are used to show whether the clause is, for example, a statement, a question, or an instruction.
More Synonyms of mood
mood in British English1
(muːd)
noun
1.
a temporary state of mind or temper
a cheerful mood
2.
a sullen or gloomy state of mind, esp when temporary
she's in a mood
3.
a prevailing atmosphere or feeling
4. in the mood
Word origin
Old English mōd mind, feeling; compare Old Norse mōthr grief, wrath
mood in British English2
(muːd)
noun
1. grammar
a category of the verb or verbal inflections that expresses semantic and grammatical differences, including such forms as the indicative, subjunctive, and imperative
2. logic
one of the possible arrangements of the syllogism, classified solely by whether the component propositions are universal or particular and affirmative or negative
Compare figure (sense 18)
Ancient name: mode
Word origin
C16: from mood1, influenced in meaning by mode
mood in American English1
(mud)
noun
1.
a particular state of mind or feeling; humor, or temper
2.
a predominant or pervading feeling, spirit, or tone
3. [pl.]
fits of morose, sullen, or uncertain temper
4. Obsolete
anger
SYNONYMY NOTE: mood1 is the broadest of these terms referring to a temporary state of mind and emphasizesthe constraining or pervading quality of the feeling [she's in a merry mood]; humor emphasizes the variability or capriciousness of the mood [he wept and laughed as his humor moved him]; temper, in this comparison, applies to a mood characterized by a single, strong emotion,esp. that of anger [my, he's in a nasty temper!]; vein stresses the transient nature of the mood [if I may speak in a serious vein for a moment]
Word origin
ME < OE mod, mind, soul, courage, akin to Ger mut, mental disposition, spirit, courage < IE base *me-, to strive strongly, be energetic > L mos, custom, customary behavior
mood in American English2
(mud)
noun
1. Grammar
a.
a characteristic of verbs that involves the speaker's attitude toward the action expressed, indicating whether this is regarded as a fact (indicative mood), as a matter of supposition, desire, possibility, etc. (subjunctive mood), or as a command (imperative mood); also, an analytic category based on this characteristic (mood is shown by inflection, as in Latin, or analytically with auxiliaries, as English may, might, should, or by both)
b.
any of the forms a verb takes to indicate this characteristic
2. Logic
any of the various forms of valid syllogisms, as determined by the quantity and quality of their constituent propositions
Word origin
< mode, altered after mood1
COBUILD Collocations
mood
bad mood
bullish mood
buoyant mood
capture the mood
catch the mood
celebratory mood
change the mood
confident mood
dark mood
festive mood
foul mood
generous mood
gloomy mood
grim mood
holiday mood
improve mood
lighten the mood
misjudge the mood
misread the mood
optimistic mood
positive mood
prevailing mood
public mood
reflect the mood
reflective mood
relaxed mood
sense the mood
sombre mood
tense mood
Examples of 'mood' in a sentence
mood
It just put them in a good mood.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Perhaps she had been in a bad mood.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He urged politicians and business leaders to recognise the popular mood.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
But no one was in a bad mood.
The Sun (2016)
The mood is very different on either side of the Atlantic.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There needs to be flirting, to put people in the mood.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The mood is totally different for Everton.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I can guess why she was in such a good mood.
The Sun (2017)
It's partly about the mood music from Britain detected in foreign capitals.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Their music would surely capture the mood of tragedy that will hang heavy in the air.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The two men were not in a good mood.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You soothe moods and get people to work together.
The Sun (2014)
There is an angry resentful mood against politics and politicians in many countries.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
That was the mood of the times.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You can read minds and moods at home and soothe family feelings.
The Sun (2008)
The mood was one of stark simplicity.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
To do that is to misread the mood of the moment.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Feel in a good mood or feel in a bad mood.
O'Keeffe, John Your One Week Way to Mind-Fitness (1994)
This was the mood music he needed.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Whether they are in any mood to give way is another matter entirely.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The strain has pushed her famous mood swings to terrifying new extremes.
The Sun (2008)
You can talk about more emotive matters when the mood and feelings of others are calmer.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It somehow always manages to capture the mood of the nation with great stories and hilarious headlines.
The Sun (2009)
This sombre composition captures not just a likeness and a character but a profoundly evocative atmosphere and mood.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
That changes the atmosphere and mood.
Christianity Today (2000)
Once they began to decrease the distance they swam, their mood slowly returned back to normal.
Claudia Hammond EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)
In other languages
mood
British English: mood /muːd/ NOUN
Your mood is the way you are feeling at a particular time.
He was in a very good mood today.
American English: mood
Arabic: مِزَاجٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: humor
Chinese: 心情
Croatian: raspoloženje
Czech: nálada
Danish: humør
Dutch: stemming humeur
European Spanish: humor talante
Finnish: mieliala
French: humeur
German: Stimmung
Greek: διάθεση ψυχική
Italian: umore
Japanese: 気分
Korean: 기분
Norwegian: sinnsstemning
Polish: nastrój
European Portuguese: humor
Romanian: dispoziție
Russian: настроение
Latin American Spanish: humor
Swedish: humör
Thai: อารมณ์
Turkish: ruh durumu
Ukrainian: настрій
Vietnamese: tâm trạng
Chinese translation of 'mood'
mood
(muːd)
n
(c)[of person]心情 (xīnqíng) (种(種), zhǒng)
[of crowd, group]氛围(圍) (fēnwéi) (种(種), zhǒng)
(s)[of place]气(氣)氛 (qìfēn) (种(種), zhǒng)
to be in a mood心情不好 (xīnqíng bù hǎo)
to be in a good/bad/awkward mood心情好/坏(壞)/不痛快 (xīnqíng hǎo/huài/bù tòngkuài)
I'm (not) in the mood to do this我想做这(這)个(個)(没(沒)有心思做这(這)个(個)) (wǒ xiǎng zuò zhège (méiyǒu xīnsi zuò zhège))
1 (noun)
Definition
a temporary state of mind or temper
You are clearly in a good mood today.
Synonyms
state of mind
I want you to get into a whole new state of mind.
spirit
A bit of exercise will help lift his spirits.
humour
Could that have been the source of his good humour?
temper
He's known for his placid temper.
vein
He also wrote several works in a lighter vein.
tenor
disposition
his friendly and cheerful disposition
frame of mind
She was not in the right frame of mind to continue.
2 (noun)
Definition
a sullen or gloomy state of mind, esp. when temporary
She was obviously in a mood.
Synonyms
depression
I slid into a depression and found it hard to go to work.
sulk
bad temper
blues
dumps (informal)
wax (informal, mainly British)
melancholy
We watched the process with an air of melancholy.
doldrums
the hump (British, informal)
bate (British, slang)
fit of pique
low spirits
the sulks
grumps (informal)
foulie (Australian, slang)
3 (noun)
Definition
a prevailing atmosphere or feeling
First set the mood with some music.
Synonyms
atmosphere
The muted decor adds to the relaxed atmosphere.
feeling
a feeling of opulence and grandeur
feel
He wanted to get the feel of the place.
spirit
I appreciate the sounds, smells and the spirit of the place.
tone
The tone of the letter was very friendly.
climate
A major change of political climate is unlikely.
flavour
clothes with a nostalgic Forties flavour
tenor
aura
She had an aura of authority.
ambience
The overall ambience of the room is cosy.
phrase
See in the mood
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ambience
Definition
the atmosphere of a place
The overall ambience of the room is cosy.
Synonyms
atmosphere,
feel,
setting,
air,
quality,
character,
spirit,
surroundings,
tone,
mood,
impression,
flavour,
temper,
tenor,
aura,
complexion,
vibes (slang),
vibrations (slang),
milieu
in the sense of aura
Definition
a distinctive air or quality associated with a person or thing
She had an aura of authority.
Synonyms
air,
feeling,
feel,
quality,
atmosphere,
tone,
suggestion,
mood,
scent,
aroma,
odour,
ambience,
vibes (slang),
vibrations (slang),
emanation
in the sense of climate
Definition
a prevailing trend
A major change of political climate is unlikely.
Synonyms
atmosphere,
environment,
spirit,
surroundings,
tone,
mood,
trend,
flavour,
feeling,
tendency,
temper,
ambience,
vibes (slang)
Synonyms of 'mood'
mood
Explore 'mood' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of disposition
Definition
a person's usual temperament
his friendly and cheerful disposition
Synonyms
character,
nature,
spirit,
make-up,
constitution,
temper,
temperament
in the sense of feel
Definition
an impression
He wanted to get the feel of the place.
Synonyms
impression,
feeling,
air,
sense,
quality,
atmosphere,
mood,
aura,
ambience,
vibes (slang)
in the sense of feeling
Definition
the impression or mood created by something
a feeling of opulence and grandeur
Synonyms
atmosphere,
mood,
aura,
ambience,
feel,
air,
quality,
vibes (slang)
in the sense of flavour
Definition
a distinctive quality or atmosphere
clothes with a nostalgic Forties flavour
Synonyms
quality,
feeling,
feel,
style,
property,
touch,
character,
aspect,
tone,
suggestion,
stamp,
essence,
tinge,
soupçon
in the sense of frame of mind
Definition
a state of mind
She was not in the right frame of mind to continue.
Synonyms
mood,
state,
spirit,
attitude,
humour,
temper,
outlook,
disposition,
mind-set,
fettle
in the sense of humour
Definition
a state of mind
Could that have been the source of his good humour?
Synonyms
mood,
spirits,
temper,
disposition,
frame of mind
in the sense of melancholy
Definition
a sad thoughtful state of mind
We watched the process with an air of melancholy.
Synonyms
sadness,
depression,
misery,
gloom,
sorrow,
woe,
blues,
unhappiness,
despondency,
the hump (British, informal),
dejection,
low spirits,
gloominess,
pensiveness
in the sense of spirit
Definition
mood or attitude
A bit of exercise will help lift his spirits.
Synonyms
mood,
feelings,
morale,
humour,
temper,
tenor,
disposition,
state of mind,
frame of mind
in the sense of spirit
Definition
a shared feeling
I appreciate the sounds, smells and the spirit of the place.