damp

[damp]

adjective

damper, dampest 

1. slightly wet; moist.

   damp weather;

   a damp towel.

   Synonyms: steamy, dank
   Antonyms: dry

2. unenthusiastic; halfhearted; tepid.

   The welcoming committee gave them a rather damp reception.

3. dejected; depressed.

   I went shopping to lift my damp spirits.

noun

1. moisture; humidity; moist air.

   damp that goes through your warmest clothes.

   Synonyms: vapor, fog

2. a noxious or stifling vapor or gas, especially in a mine.

3. depression of spirits; dejection.

4. a restraining or discouraging force or factor.

verb (used with object)

1. to make damp; moisten.

   Synonyms: humidify

2. to check or retard the energy, action, etc., of; deaden; dampen.

   A series of failures damped her enthusiasm.

   Synonyms: moderate, restrain, inhibit, slow, abate

3. to stifle or suffocate; extinguish.

   to damp a furnace.

4. Acoustics, Music.,  to check or retard the action of (a vibrating string); dull; deaden.

5. Physics.,  to cause a decrease in amplitude of (successive oscillations or waves).

verb phrase

1. damp off,  to undergo damping-off.

damp

/ dæmp /

adjective

1. slightly wet, as from dew, steam, etc

2. archaic,  dejected

noun

1. slight wetness; moisture; humidity

2. rank air or poisonous gas, esp in a mine See also firedamp

3. a discouragement; damper

4. archaic,  dejection

verb

1. to make slightly wet

2. (often foll by down) to stifle or deaden

   to damp one's ardour

3. (often foll by down) to reduce the flow of air to (a fire) to make it burn more slowly or to extinguish it

4. physics to reduce the amplitude of (an oscillation or wave)

5. music to muffle (the sound of an instrument)

Other Word Forms

• dampish adjective
• dampishly adverb
• dampishness noun
• damply adverb
• dampness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of damp¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (in sense of damp def. 5 ); compare Middle Dutch damp, Middle High German dampf “vapor, smoke”

Word History and Origins

Origin of damp¹

C14: from Middle Low German damp steam; related to Old High German demphen to cause to steam

Synonym Study

Damp, humid, moist mean slightly wet. Damp usually implies slight and extraneous wetness, generally undesirable or unpleasant unless the result of intention: a damp cellar; to put a damp cloth on a patient's forehead. Humid is applied to unpleasant dampness in the air: The air is oppressively humid today. Moist denotes something that is slightly wet, naturally or properly: moist ground; moist leather.

Example Sentences

Guardiola's 100th Champions League match as City boss was a damp squib, in stark contrast to so many of the previous 99, which includes 62 wins and the club's maiden European crown in 2023.

Read more on Barron's

In damp, greasy conditions, Britain's Russell saved his best lap for last, clocking a time of one minute 34.054 seconds to pip reigning Formula One world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull by 0.227secs.

Read more on Barron's

It’s wonderful, damp, dreary, and the pubs are open.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

With a frost expected, areas where showers or rain and sleet have left the ground damp are at risk of ice becoming a hazard on roads and pavements.

Read more on BBC

Target’s struggles have been a result of both external factors such as inflation, which damped demand for the trendy throw pillows and children’s clothes Target is known for, as well as self-inflicted wounds.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cloudy 
• dank 
• drizzly www.thesaurus.com
• misty 
• moist 
• muggy 
• saturated 
• soaked www.thesaurus.com
• sodden 
• soggy 
• steamy 
• sticky 
• waterlogged