damp

¹damp

noun \ˈdamp\

Definition of DAMP

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

Examples of DAMP

1. The boxes were left outside in the damp.
2. the damp of the night

Origin of DAMP

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DAMP

Synonyms

moisture, dampness, humidity, moistness

Related Words

mugginess, stickiness, stuffiness; sultriness; clamminess, dankness, soddenness, sogginess, wetness

Near Antonyms

aridity, dehumidification, dehydration, dryness

Rhymes with DAMP

amp, camp, champ, clamp, cramp, guimpe, lamp, ramp, samp, scamp, stamp, tamp, tramp, vamp

²damp

verb

Definition of DAMP

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 (as a string or voltage)

2

: dampen

intransitive verb

: to diminish progressively in vibration or oscillation

Examples of DAMP

1. His hands were damped with sweat.
2. <refused to let the setbacks damp his drive for success>

First Known Use of DAMP

14th century

Related to DAMP

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

brace, energize, enliven, invigorate, quicken, stimulate, vitalize, vivify

Related Words

burn out, debilitate, do in, drain, enfeeble, exhaust, fatigue, sap, tucker (out), undermine, weaken, wear, wear out; daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit

Near Antonyms

arouse, rouse, stir; charge, electrify, galvanize; excite, ferment, fire, foment, incite, inflame (also enflame), instigate, kindle, provoke, spark, trigger, whip (up); abet, boost, buoy, cheer, embolden, fortify, hearten, inspire, lift; reactivate, reanimate, reawake, reawaken, recharge, reenergize, refresh, regenerate, rejuvenate, rekindle, renew, resurrect, resuscitate, revitalize, revive

³damp

adjective

Definition of DAMP

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>

— damp·ish \ˈdam-pish\ adjective

— damp·ly adverb

— damp·ness noun

Examples of DAMP

1. Wipe up the mess with a damp cloth.
2. Her forehead was damp with perspiration.
3. My hair's still damp from the rain.

First Known Use of DAMP

1590

Related to DAMP

Synonyms

humid, muggy, sticky, sultry

Antonyms

dry

Related Words

steamy, summerlike, summery, sweltering, torrid; semitropical (also semitropic), subhumid, subtropical (also subtropic), tropic, tropical; close, heavy, oppressive, smothering, stifling, stuffy, suffocating; clammy, dank, moist; awash, bathed, doused (also dowsed), drenched, dripping, saturated, soaked, soaking, sodden, soggy, sopping, soppy, soused, washed, watered, waterlogged, watery, wet

Near Antonyms

bracing, cool, crisp, fresh, invigorating, refreshing; arid, baked, burned (or burnt), dehydrated, desert, droughty, dusty, parched, scorched, seared, semiarid, sere (also sear), sunbaked, thirsty, waterless

See Synonym Discussion at wet

damp

noun \ˈdamp\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DAMP

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