Word: moody

Associations

The word "moody" describes someone who changes their feelings or mood often and suddenly. A moody person may become happy one moment and then sad or angry the next.

• Example 1: "She can be quite moody in the mornings." This means she might have different feelings, like grumpy or happy, when she wakes up.
• Example 2: "His moody behavior makes it hard to plan activities." Here, it shows that his changing moods affect decisions and plans with others.
• Example 3: "Teenagers are often moody due to hormonal changes." This relates the word to a common period where moods swing often.

A well-known synonym for "moody" is "irritable." However, "irritable" usually indicates a person is more easily annoyed, while "moody" can imply a wide range of emotions, not just annoyance.

Substitution

You could also use words like "temperamental," "changeable," or "volatile."

• "Temperamental" suggests someone whose moods change depending on circumstances.
• "Changeable" indicates someone whose feelings often switch.
• "Volatile" implies quick and intense mood changes, which can suggest unpredictability.

Deconstruction

The word "moody" comes from "mood," which relates to feelings and emotions. The suffix "-y" is used in English to create adjectives, meaning "having the quality of." Thus, "moody" literally means "having the quality of changing moods."

The origin of the word "mood" can be traced back to Old English "mōd," which meant "spirit, courage, or disposition," reflecting how our moods affect our feelings and attitude.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt particularly moody? What triggered that change in mood?
• How do you react to someone who is moody? What strategies do you use to interact with them?
• In what situations do you think being moody could be understandable or even justified?