MOTH-EATEN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does moth-eaten mean? 

• MOTH-EATEN (adjective)
  The adjective MOTH-EATEN has 3 senses:

1. showing signs of wear and tear

2. worn or eaten away by (or as if by) moths

3. lacking originality or spontaneity; no longer new

  Familiarity information: MOTH-EATEN used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MOTH-EATEN (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Showing signs of wear and tear

Synonyms:

moth-eaten; ratty; shabby; tatty

Context example:

an old house with dirty windows and tatty curtains

Similar:

worn (affected by wear; damaged by long use)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Worn or eaten away by (or as if by) moths

Synonyms:

moth-eaten; mothy

Context example:

moth-eaten blankets

Similar:

worn (affected by wear; damaged by long use)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Lacking originality or spontaneity; no longer new

Synonyms:

cold; dusty; moth-eaten; stale

Context example:

stale news

Similar:

unoriginal (not original; not being or productive of something fresh and unusual)

 Context examples 

One or two small rooms near the hall were open, but there was nothing to see in them except old furniture, dusty with age and moth-eaten.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Her words were literally true, for we had hardly time to look around the dusty and moth-eaten apartment in which we found ourselves before the door opened and a big, clean-shaven bald-headed man stepped lightly into the room.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I saw something like them in Hampton Court, but there they were worn and frayed and moth-eaten.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)