Standard Lemma guide

moth-eaten

adj · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Containing holes by having been eaten by moth larvae.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Old and in poor condition.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

lacking originality or spontaneity; no longer new

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • moth-eaten theories about race
  • stale news

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cold, stale, dusty

Antonyms: none provided

4

adjective satellite

Meaning 4

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

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • moth-eaten blankets

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: mothy

Antonyms: none provided

5

adjective satellite

Meaning 5

showing signs of wear and tear

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a ratty old overcoat
  • shabby furniture
  • an old house with dirty windows and tatty curtains

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: ratty, shabby, tatty

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

20 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: koinsyömä — containing moth holes
  • French: mangé aux mites — containing moth holes
  • German: mottenzerfressen — containing moth holes
  • Greek: σκωροφαγωμένος (skorofagoménos) — containing moth holes
  • Ancient Greek: σητόβρωτος (sētóbrōtos) — containing moth holes
  • Manx: lhemeenagh — containing moth holes
  • Norwegian Bokmål: møllspist — containing moth holes
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: mølleten — containing moth holes
  • Old English: moþfreten — containing moth holes
  • Russian: изъе́денный мо́лью (izʺjédennyj mólʹju) — containing moth holes
  • Spanish: apolillado — containing moth holes
  • Swedish: maläten — containing moth holes
  • Welsh: yn dyllau pryfed — containing moth holes
  • Finnish: koinsyömä — old and in poor condition
  • French: mangé aux mites — old and in poor condition
  • Greek: σκωροφαγωμένος (skorofagoménos) — old and in poor condition
  • Norwegian Bokmål: møllspist — old and in poor condition
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: mølleten — old and in poor condition
  • Spanish: apolillado — old and in poor condition
  • Swedish: maläten — old and in poor condition