moth-eaten

[ mawth-eet-n, moth- ]

adjective

1. eaten or damaged by or as if by the larvae of moths.
2. decayed or worn out.
3. out of fashion; antiquated.

moth-eaten

adjective

1. decayed, decrepit, or outdated
2. eaten away by or as if by moths

Other Words From

• un·moth-eaten adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of moth-eaten¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

Biden summoned reporters on short notice after Hur cleared him of criminal wrongdoing for mishandling classified documents — and painted him as a moth-eaten, doddering geriatric.

From Los Angeles Times

After about four hours, he found his name on the last page of a moth-eaten book.

From BBC

A tattered, moth-eaten construct that looks like it’s been cobbled together from the spare-parts bin at the $1.98 Special Effects House at the intersection of Shabby Lane and Threadbare Thoroughfare.

From Seattle Times

Their long, scraggly hair streamed behind them like raggedy, moth-eaten capes as they flew at us.

From Literature

I saw something like them in Hampton Court, but there they were worn and frayed and moth-eaten.

From Literature