Fusty: meaning, definitions and examples
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fusty
[ ˈfʌsti ]
describing odors
Fusty refers to a musty, stale, or old smell, often associated with damp, poorly ventilated spaces. This adjective is commonly used to describe items or environments that have an unpleasant odor due to age or neglect. It can also imply a lack of freshness or vitality. In a broader sense, fusty can also describe ideas or attitudes that are outdated or conservative.
Synonyms
antiquated, damp, musty, obsolete, stale
Examples of usage
- The fusty attic was filled with forgotten memories.
- He opened the fusty cupboard, and a wave of stale air hit him.
- The old book had a fusty aroma that hinted at its age.
- Her fusty opinions on modern art made it hard to engage in conversation.
Translations
Translations of the word "fusty" in other languages:
🇵🇹 mofo
🇮🇳 सड़ांध वाला
- पुराना
- बासी
🇩🇪 muffig
🇮🇩 berdebu
- kotor
- busuk
🇺🇦 затхлий
- старий
- брудний
🇵🇱 stęchły
🇯🇵 かび臭い
🇫🇷 moisi
- vieux
- rance
🇪🇸 rancio
- mufoso
- añejo
🇹🇷 küflü
- eski
- kötü kokulu
🇰🇷 곰팡내 나는
- 오래된
- 습기 있는
🇸🇦 عفن
- قديم
- ركيكة
🇨🇿 zatuchlý
- starý
- smradlavý
🇸🇰 zatuchnutý
- starnúci
- smradľavý
🇨🇳 发霉的
- 陈旧的
- 腐臭的
🇸🇮 mufast
- star
- gnil
🇮🇸 rakan
- gömul
- gamall
🇰🇿 тозған
- ескі
- басы
🇬🇪 მოჩქარებული
- ძველი
- ბუნებრივი
🇦🇿 köhnə
- şirin
- çəkmək
🇲🇽 mohoso
- viejo
- rancio
Word origin
The word 'fusty' originates from the late Middle English term 'fusty', which derived from the Old French word 'fust', meaning 'moldy' or 'rotten', itself coming from a Latin root 'fustis', referring to 'wood' or 'stick'. The transition into English reflects a shift in meaning from the physical state of wood (often associated with decay) to the more abstract ideas of odor and antiquity. The term has evolved over time, maintaining its association with unpleasant smells and, in more recent contexts, carrying connotations of outdated ideas or conservative attitudes. By the 17th century, 'fusty' had settled into the English lexicon and began to be used metaphorically to describe not only smells but also ideas and attitudes that seemed old-fashioned or behind the times.