Fusty/ˈfʌsti/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Sensory Experience Fusty often invokes a specific smell visual, like old books in a closed room. Opening the storage, we were hit by a distinctly fusty odor. Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation Describing a place as fusty suggests neglect or lack of fresh air. The antique shop had a fusty atmosphere, untouched by time. Pro Tip 3/3Physical Environment Use 'fusty' to describe enclosed spaces that need airing out. Her grandmother's fusty living room felt claustrophobic.