moody
UK[ˈmuːdi]US[ˈmuːdi]
adj
having moods that change quickly and often
adj
feeling unhappy, angry, or upset, and showing this feeling by behaving in a quiet or angry way
Morpheme Breakdown
mood
y
mood
y
characterized by, full of
Etymology
the word 'moody' originates from the old english term 'mōdig', which meant brave, proud, or high-spirited, derived from 'mōd' (mind, spirit) and the adjectival suffix '-ig'. the core meaning of 'mōd' in germanic languages pertained to one's inner state, encompassing emotions, courage, and disposition. over time, the meaning of 'moody' shifted from describing a proud or courageous spirit to focusing specifically on the changeability and darkness of one's emotional state. this evolution reflects a narrowing of meaning, where the word came to characterize a person prone to unpredictable or sullen moods, retaining the link to inner disposition but with a more negative and volatile connotation.
Analysis
Structure: mood + y
mood (from old english 'mōd', meaning mind, heart, spirit, courage) + y (old english suffix '-ig', forming adjectives meaning "characterized by, full of").
Examples
she's been moody and irritable all week.
teenagers are often portrayed as moody and rebellious.
the artist had a reputation for being a moody genius.