What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mothy
Example
I found my favorite sweater in the closet, but it was full of moth holes. [mothy: adjective]
Example
The old curtains in the attic were so mothy that they fell apart when I touched them. [mothy: adjective]
tatty
Example
The sofa in the living room is so tatty that we need to replace it. [tatty: adjective]
Example
The abandoned house on the corner looks tatty and rundown. [tatty: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tatty is more commonly used than mothy in everyday language. Tatty is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mothy is less common and refers specifically to damage caused by moths.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mothy and tatty?
Both mothy and tatty are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.