What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mouldering
Example
The old books in the library were mouldering away on the shelves. [mouldering: verb]
Example
The damp basement had a musty smell from the mouldering boxes. [mouldering: adjective]
decomposing
Example
The dead animal was decomposing in the woods, attracting scavengers. [decomposing: verb]
Example
The compost pile was full of decomposing plant matter. [decomposing: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Decomposing is more commonly used than mouldering in everyday language, especially in scientific contexts. Mouldering is a less common synonym that is typically used in literary or poetic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mouldering and decomposing?
Decomposing is a more formal term than mouldering, which has a more informal and literary tone.
