1. the quality or state of being musty; a stale, moldy, or damp smell

Examples

• The mustiness in the basement was overwhelming after the flood.
• She opened all the windows to get rid of the mustiness in the old house.
• The library books had a slight mustiness from years of storage.
• The mustiness of the attic made her sneeze repeatedly.
• After cleaning and airing out the room, the mustiness finally disappeared.
• The antique chest had a distinctive mustiness that reminded her of her grandmother’s house.