Question

Choose the word that is most nearly the opposite in the meaning of the word given in capitals.
MUSTY

a)fresh
b)expensive
c)clean
d)fine

Answer 1

Hint: The word ‘musty’ means ‘having a stale, mouldy, or damp smell’.

Complete step by step solution:

 The word ‘musty’ also refers to ‘lacking freshness or vitality’. This word was first used in the early 16th century.
For example, the sentence ‘The books smelled old and musty’, means that the books did not smell very new.
Now, we know the meaning, origin, and usage of the word ‘musty’. Let’s have a look at our options one by one:

a)fresh - This word refers to something that was ‘recently made or obtained; not tinned, frozen, or otherwise preserved’. This word has the exact opposite meaning to the word ‘musty’. So, this is the correct option.
b)expensive - This word refers to ‘costing a lot of money’. This word has a different meaning to the word ‘musty’, there is no relation between the two words. So, this is an incorrect option.
c)clean - This word refers to something that is ‘free from dirt, marks, or stains’ or ‘morally uncontaminated’. This word has a different meaning to the word ‘musty’. So, this is an incorrect answer.
d)fine - This word refers to something that is ‘of very high quality or very good of its kind’ or ‘very thin or narrow’. This word has a completely different meaning to ‘musty’. So, this is an incorrect answer.
So, the option that is most nearly the opposite in the meaning of ‘musty’ is the option ‘a’.

Note: Try to guess the meaning of ‘musty’ and choose the best fitting option as its opposite.