damp

1 of 3

noun

ˈdamp 

1

: a noxious gas compare black damp, firedamp

2

: moisture:

a

: humidity, dampness

b

archaic : fog, mist

3

a

: discouragement, check

b

archaic : depression, dejection

damp

2 of 3

verb

damped; damping; damps

transitive verb

1

a

: to affect with or as if with a noxious gas : choke

b

: to diminish the activity or intensity of

damping down the causes of inflation

liquid damps out compass oscillations

c

: to check the vibration or oscillation of (something, such as a string or a voltage)

2

: dampen

intransitive verb

: to diminish progressively in vibration or oscillation

damp

3 of 3

adjective

1

a

archaic : being confused, bewildered, or shocked : stupefied

b

: depressed, dull

2

: slightly or moderately wet : moist

a damp towel

also : humid

damp weather

dampish

ˈdam-pish 

adjective

damply adverb

dampness noun

Synonyms

Noun

• dampness
• humidity
• moistness
• moisture

Verb

• castrate
• dampen
• deaden
• dehydrate
• desiccate
• devitalize
• enervate
• geld
• lobotomize
• petrify

Adjective

• humid
• muggy
• sticky
• sultry

Choose the Right Synonym for damp

wet, damp, dank, moist, humid mean covered or more or less soaked with liquid.

wet usually implies saturation but may suggest a covering of a surface with water or something (such as paint) not yet dry.

slipped on the wet pavement

damp implies a slight or moderate absorption and often connotes an unpleasant degree of moisture.

clothes will mildew if stored in a damp place

dank implies a more distinctly disagreeable or unwholesome dampness.

a prisoner in a cold, dank cell

moist applies to what is slightly damp or not felt as dry.

treat the injury with moist heat

humid applies to the presence of much water vapor in the air.

a hot, humid climate

Examples of damp in a Sentence

Noun

The boxes were left outside in the damp.

the damp of the night

Verb

His hands were damped with sweat.

refused to let the setbacks damp his drive for success

Adjective

Wipe up the mess with a damp cloth.

Her forehead was damp with perspiration.

My hair's still damp from the rain.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Invigorated by the damp, fungi living quietly in the soil sprout fruiting bodies. —Rachel Bujalski Veronique Greenwood, New York Times, 11 June 2024

The melodramatic piano music has put you on edge, as have the visible damp of the Savannah air and the oak trees dripping with moss. —E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2023

Verb

Critics have also alleged that the measure damps the housing market. —Paloma Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024

But the financial crisis roiled global markets soon after, damping car sales in developed economies. —Shawn Tully, Fortune Asia, 10 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Squeeze a drop of shampoo onto a damp cloth or towel to wipe away greasy cooking debris from whatever surface was hit, including the counter, stovetop, or backsplash. —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024

Her parents have just come from the bathroom, where her mother had wiped down her father’s body with a damp towel. —Weike Wang, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, black damp, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German, vapor; akin to Old High German damph vapor

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Adjective

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing damp

• black damp
• damp squib

Kids Definition

damp

1 of 3 noun

ˈdamp 

1

: a harmful gas especially in a coal mine

2

: moisture, humidity

3

: discouragement sense 2

damp

2 of 3 verb

: dampen

damp

3 of 3 adjective

: slightly wet

dampness noun

Medical Definition

damp

noun

ˈdamp 

: a noxious or stifling gas or vapor

especially : one occurring in coal mines

—usually used in plural see black damp, firedamp