damp

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   A little wet, especially in a cold or unpleasant way.

   Grammar: Before a noun or after a verb: a damp cloth; the walls are damp.

   Patterns

   • damp from something

   The towels were still damp after a day on the line.

   The basement smelled cold and damp.

   Her hair was damp from the rain.

2. 2noununcountableBritish

   Slight wetness in the air or in walls, which can cause mold and a musty smell.

   Grammar: Uncountable: rising damp, not a damp.

   Patterns

   • rising damp
   • damp in something

   Rising damp had ruined the wallpaper.

   The cottage suffers from damp in winter.

   They put a damp-proof course in the wall.

3. 3verbtransitive

   To make something slightly wet, or to reduce the force or strength of a feeling or fire.

   Grammar: Takes an object; often damp down: damp down the fire.

   Patterns

   • damp something down
   • damp something with something

   She damped the cloth before wiping the table.

   Nothing could damp their enthusiasm.

   Firefighters damped down the embers.

Word forms

Common combinations

damp cloth

Wipe the screen with a damp cloth.

damp and cold

The cave was damp and cold.

rising damp

The surveyor found rising damp in the hall.

damp squib

The party turned out to be a damp squib.

damp down

The cook damped down the flames.

Synonyms and how they differ

moist

Moist is usually pleasant and used for food, while damp usually suggests an unwanted wetness.

wet

Wet means covered in or full of liquid, whereas damp means only slightly wet.

humid

Humid describes warm, wet air, not surfaces.

soggy

Soggy means heavily soaked and unpleasantly soft, stronger than damp.

Opposites

Word family

dampen verb

To make slightly wet or reduce enthusiasm.

dampness noun

The state of being damp.

damper noun

Something that reduces enthusiasm or a valve controlling airflow.

damply adverb

In a damp way.

Commonly confused: damp or dump? damp or moist?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “damp”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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