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
Noun
Invigorated by the damp, fungi living quietly in the soil sprout fruiting bodies. Rachel Bujalski Veronique Greenwood, New York Times, 11 June 2024 The melodramatic piano music has put you on edge, as have the visible damp of the Savannah air and the oak trees dripping with moss. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2023
Verb
Critics have also alleged that the measure damps the housing market. Paloma Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2024 But the financial crisis roiled global markets soon after, damping car sales in developed economies. Shawn Tully, Fortune Asia, 10 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Squeeze a drop of shampoo onto a damp cloth or towel to wipe away greasy cooking debris from whatever surface was hit, including the counter, stovetop, or backsplash. Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024 Her parents have just come from the bathroom, where her mother had wiped down her father’s body with a damp towel. Weike Wang, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for damp 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'damp.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 1 Nov. 2024.

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

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