Musty/ˈmʌsti/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation Describing a smell as musty often implies it's unpleasant or undesirable. When she opened the ancient trunk, a musty odor wafted out. Pro Tip 2/3Sensory Description Use 'musty' to evoke the sense of smell and a sense of oldness or neglect. The musty smell of the cellar reminded him of abandoned houses. Pro Tip 3/3Visual Imagery 'Musty' often accompanies visual descriptions of old or unused items or spaces. The attic was cluttered and had a distinctly musty scent.