moist

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Slightly wet, with a little liquid but not dripping.

   Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: moist soil, the soil is moist.

   Patterns

   • moist with something
   • keep something moist

   Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

   The cake was soft and moist.

   A moist cloth removed the dust.

2. 2adjectivecomparableliterary

   Showing damp tears or sweat, in a literary way.

   Grammar: Often about eyes or skin: moist eyes.

   Patterns

   • moist with tears

   His eyes grew moist as the song ended.

   Her palms were moist with nerves.

   The air felt moist and heavy.

3. 3adjectivecomparable

   Describing air or climate that carries a lot of water vapor.

   Grammar: Describes air or weather: a moist climate.

   Patterns

   • moist air
   • moist climate

   Ferns thrive in moist air.

   The moist sea breeze cooled the town.

   A moist climate suits rice.

Word forms

Common combinations

moist soil

Seeds sprout best in moist soil.

moist cake

The recipe gives a rich, moist cake.

moist eyes

Her eyes were moist with emotion.

moist air

The moist air fogged the windows.

keep moist

Keep the bandage moist.

Synonyms and how they differ

damp

Damp often suggests an unpleasant wetness, while moist is usually neutral or pleasant.

humid

Humid describes air full of water vapor, whereas moist can describe any slightly wet thing.

wet

Wet means covered in or soaked with liquid, a stronger degree than moist.

dewy

Dewy sounds fresh and poetic, tied to dew or smooth skin.

Opposites

Word family

moisten verb

to make slightly wet

moisture noun

small amounts of liquid in air or a material

moisturizer noun

a cream that keeps skin from drying

moistness noun

the quality of being slightly wet

Commonly confused: moist or damp?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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