el molde
mold
Definition & meaning
Molde is a masculine Spanish noun: el molde, plural los moldes.
It generally means a mold, ** قالب**, form, or template—something used to give an object a particular shape.
Main meanings:
-
A container or form used to shape or set something, especially food, plaster, concrete, wax, or metal.
- un molde para pasteles — a cake mold
- un molde de yeso — a plaster cast or mold
-
A pattern or model used as a guide for making or designing something.
- cortar la tela siguiendo un molde — to cut the fabric following a pattern
-
A figurative model or standard that someone or something resembles.
- un escritor de otro molde — a writer of a different kind
In some contexts, molde can mean a cast, especially a physical reproduction made from an original object.
It should not usually be confused with moho , which means biological “mold” or fungus.
Grammar & Word origin
- Gender: masculine
- Singular: el molde
- Plural: los moldes
- Pronunciation: approximately MOHL-deh
- Part of speech: noun
The word comes from Old Spanish and ultimately from Latin modulus, meaning “small measure,” “model,” or “pattern.” It is related to the idea of a standard form or model.
Synonyms & antonyms
Possible Spanish synonyms include:
- forma — “form” or “shape.” This is broader than molde and does not necessarily refer to an object used to shape something.
- plantilla — “template.” This usually refers to a pattern or guide, especially for drawing, cutting, or designing.
- ** patrón** — “pattern” or “model.” It emphasizes an example or standard to be copied.
- matriz — “die,” “matrix,” or “master mold.” It is more technical and often refers to the original form used for reproducing objects.
- modelo — “model” or “prototype.” It can be a physical example or an abstract standard, whereas molde more strongly suggests shaping or forming.
There is no single direct antonym for molde. Depending on the context, contrasting expressions include:
- forma libre — free form, without a fixed mold
- sin molde — without a mold
- irregularidad — irregularity, when contrasting a standard form with a nonstandard shape
Common phrases & collocations
- molde para pasteles — cake mold
- molde de silicona — silicone mold
- molde de yeso — plaster cast or mold
- sacar del molde — to take out of the mold
- desmoldar — to remove from a mold
- romper el molde — literally “to break the mold”; figuratively, to be unique or unlike others
- del mismo molde — of the same mold; very similar
- ser de otro molde — to be of a different kind or character
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Examples
Necesitamos un molde para hacer las galletas.noun
We need a mold to make the cookies.
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