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View synonyms for

damp

[ damp ]

adjective

damper, dampest.
  1. slightly wet; moist:

    damp weather;

    a damp towel.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  2. unenthusiastic; halfhearted; tepid:

    The welcoming committee gave them a rather damp reception.

  3. I went shopping to lift my damp spirits.



noun

  1. moisture; humidity; moist air:

    damp that goes through your warmest clothes.

    Synonyms: ,

  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:

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

    A series of failures damped her enthusiasm.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

  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. Plant Pathology. to undergo damping-off.

damp

/ æ /

adjective

  1. slightly wet, as from dew, steam, etc
  2. archaic.
    dejected
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ岹Ա, noun
  • ˈ岹, adverb
  • ˈ岹辱, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • 岹i adjective
  • 岹i·ly adverb
  • 岹i·ness noun
  • 岹l adverb
  • 岹n noun
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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”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of damp1

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

Examples have not been reviewed.

"I wet myself and stayed like that all night, damp and rolled up in a ball in my sleeping bag," she added.

From

The wall was clearly still damp and the paint came off on her hand when she touched it.

From

Emily and her mother have since moved but she said there was mould on the walls and damp in the house.

From

Her hair is slightly damp and, woman to woman, it eventually prompts an aside about the region’s humidity.

From

The inquiry heard evidence of "egregious hazards" to children, including serious damp, mould, and mice infestations, and families living in temporary housing for years.

From

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Damon and Pythiasdamp box