mildew

Noun

the process of becoming mildewed
a fungus that produces a superficial (usually white) growth on organic matter
A growth of minute powdery or webby fungi, whitish or of different colors, found on various diseased or decaying substances.

Verb

Verb Forms: mildewed, mildewing, mildews

To affect or become covered with a fungal growth.
become moldy; spoil due to humidity
To taint with mildew.
To become tainted with mildew.

Examples

His unused tiles seemed to mildew in his rack, forgotten and ignored.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English myldew, from Old English meledēaw, mildēaw, from Proto-West Germanic *milidauw, from *mili (“honey”) + *dauw (“dew”). Compare West Frisian moaldau, Dutch meeldauw, German Mehltau. More at dew.

Synonyms

mold, mould

Scrabble Score: 12

mildew: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
mildew: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
mildew: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

mildew: valid Words With Friends Word