damp

1 of 3

noun

1
: a noxious gas compare black damp, firedamp
2
b
archaic : fog, mist
3

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
2
: slightly or moderately wet : moist
a damp towel
also : humid
damp weather
dampish adjective
damply adverb
dampness noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Split open at the seam and tender female feet urged in to keep the damp and mud at bay; slippers of a sort. Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 10 Jan. 2025 Invigorated by the damp, fungi living quietly in the soil sprout fruiting bodies. Rachel Bujalski Veronique Greenwood, New York Times, 11 June 2024
Verb
Apply to damp or dry hair to detangle and style—scrunch for curls or smooth with a brush for sleek looks. Erin Parker, Allure, 27 Dec. 2024 The troubles damped Nongfu Spring’s first-half water sales and curbed earnings growth. Zinnia Lee, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
In the case of the disaster that is now unfolding, the unusually dry conditions played a crucial role in setting the stage for extreme wildfires; a similarly powerful windstorm in Pasadena in December 2011 was preceded by a damp November, helping to prevent any significant fires. Ned Kleiner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025 To prepare, mushrooms should be cleaned with a soft brush or slightly damp paper towel, per the USDA. Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for damp 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of damp was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near damp

Cite this Entry

“Damp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damp. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

damp

1 of 3 noun
1
: a harmful gas especially in a coal mine
2
3

damp

2 of 3 verb
: dampen

damp

3 of 3 adjective
: slightly wet
dampness noun

Medical Definition

damp

noun
: a noxious or stifling gas or vapor
especially : one occurring in coal mines
usually used in plural
see black damp, firedamp

More from Merriam-Webster on damp

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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