verb
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to make or become damp
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(tr) to stifle; deaden
Other Word Forms
- dampener noun
- undampened adjective
Etymology
Origin of dampen
Explanation
To dampen something is to stifle it, to lessen its effect, or to moisten it. Getting a cold will dampen your enthusiasm. This word has several related meanings, most of which make something less effective or powerful. Using a towel will dampen it in the sense of getting it wet, but dampening goes beyond things that are damp (wet). Bad news will dampen your mood, bringing it down. Boxing gloves dampen the force of punches because they cushion the blows. Anything dampened has been weakened and brought down a notch.
Vocabulary lists containing dampen
Out of the Dust
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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Undefeated
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The downpour didn't seem to dampen fans' spirits, either.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
This could eventually dampen demand for other products and further hurt the economy, Jefferson noted.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
Economists widely expect that the spike in gasoline prices—hovering above an average of $4 per gallon nationwide on Friday—will dampen consumer spending and likely weigh on economic growth in the second quarter.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
It is expected to boost inflation through higher gasoline prices but also to dampen growth as consumers see a decline in discretionary spending power.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026
The fact that the rumor couldn’t be confirmed did nothing to dampen its power.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
