damp

\ ˈdamp

How to pronounce damp (audio)

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Definition of damp

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a noxious gas — compare black damp, firedamp

a : humidity, dampness

b archaic : fog, mist

3a : discouragement, check

b archaic : depression, dejection

damp

damped; damping; damps

Definition of damp (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : 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)

intransitive verb

: to diminish progressively in vibration or oscillation

damp

Definition of damp (Entry 3 of 3)

1a archaic : being confused, bewildered, or shocked : stupefied

b : depressed, dull

2 : slightly or moderately wet : moist a damp towel also : humid damp weather

Other Words from damp Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about damp

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Choose the Right Synonym for damp

Adjective

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 Tomorrow (Friday): Morning is probably gray and a little damp, but the real rain doesn’t get going until later. — Ian Livingston, Washington Post, "PM Update: A few showers or a storm possible this evening; much more rain to come Friday," 27 July 2017 The internet is a virtual catacomb, where the skeletons of human decency line the damp, mildewed walls. — Christine Flowers, Philly.com, "Disgraced ex-TV worker didn't deserve humiliation," 15 June 2017 This damp—a byproduct of industrial smog mixing with moisture from the nearby ponds—is omnipresent, and repeated mentions more than illustrate Louis’s disgust. — Samuel Metz, New Republic, "Édouard Louis’s Novel of the French Working Class," 8 June 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Yellen’s speech, which lacked clear rate cues, did little to calm the price swings and damped expectations of a rate hike this year. — Fortune, "The Gold Market Just Got Rocked by a Mysterious and Massive Trade," 25 Aug. 2017 BROOKS RIVER — A brown bear sow emerged from the alder fringes of the Naknek Lake shoreline, ambled to the water's edge and dropped in a huge blond lump onto pumice pebbles and damp black volcanic sand. — Clark Fair, Alaska Dispatch News, "Beyond the bears: Here’s a rundown of other Brooks Camp attractions in Katmai," 29 July 2017 Apply the mixture to damp, clean hair and also massage it onto your scalp. — Lori Keong, Marie Claire, "4 Amazing Homemade Hair Masks for Healthier Looking Strands," 19 July 2017 Babies need to be constantly damp for some reason, like the whale at the end of Free Willy. — Frank Kobola, Redbook, "9 Thoughts All Dads-to-Be Have About Baby Shopping," 10 Mar. 2017 A Milan judge on Saturday ordered Silvio Berlusconi to be tried on corruption charges, damping the former Italian premier’s hopes of running soon for office again after being sidelined by a tax-fraud conviction. — Frances D&, Orange County Register, "New Italian trial set for Berlusconi in a corruption case," 29 Jan. 2017 These masterful shocks have somewhat redefined the state of the art in damping. — Jim Resnick, Ars Technica, "Camaro goes nuclear: Chevrolet escalates the muscle car war," 18 July 2017 But thoughts of the team’s imminent departure did not seem to be souring the sweetness of the celebration, nor damping the blaring of horns or thinning the throngs downtown and along the edges of Lake Merritt on Thursday. — Erin Baldassari, The Mercury News, "Warriors parade: Hundreds of thousands party in downtown Oakland," 15 June 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective This 70-pint dehumidifier is good for spaces up to 1,400 square feet and powerful enough for damp spaces with 50 percent humidity. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Battle Mold and Mildew in Your Home," 18 Jan. 2021 Nothing creates a more miserable, cold, and potentially dangerous situation faster than working up a sweat and then sitting in damp clothing for an extended period of time. — Alex Gyllstrom, Field & Stream, "7 Keys to Staying Warm on a Late-Season Hunt," 30 Dec. 2020 Warm socks are the last line of defense against cold, damp feet. — Gary Garth, USA TODAY, "No, cold-weather camping is not a terrible idea – and here's why you should try it," 27 Dec. 2020 Simply scrape the visible meat and fat from a fresh hide and sprinkle some salt across the damp surface. — Tim Macwelch, Outdoor Life, "The Ultimate Guide to Tanning Wild Game Pelts and Hides," 24 Dec. 2020 As the workers arrived on a cloudy, damp day, one of the graves had a wreath on it. — Sig Christenson, ExpressNews.com, "Nazi headstones removed at Fort Sam," 23 Dec. 2020 Despite the damp end to the season, Antetokounmpo went on to win NBA MVP for the second year in a row. — Calum Trenaman, CNN, "New NBA season to test LeBron James' ability to defy expectations of age," 22 Dec. 2020 To cool down during challenges, the bakers have started wearing wet rags around their necks that leave damp patches on their aprons. — Kate Yoder, Wired, "Another Victim of Global Warming: The Great British Bake Off," 5 Dec. 2020 An oval-shaped head — somewhat like a miniature version of the popular Supersonic — speeds up the drying process so your hair is just damp enough for optimal styling. — Sarah Han, Allure, "Dyson Is Having a Rare Sale on Its Award-Winning Hair Tools," 3 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'damp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Damp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damp. Accessed 26 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for damp

damp

noun

English Language Learners Definition of damp

(Entry 1 of 3)

: slight wetness in the air

damp

verb

English Language Learners Definition of damp (Entry 2 of 3)

: to make (something) somewhat or slightly wet

: to make (something) less strong or active

damp

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of damp (Entry 3 of 3)

: somewhat or slightly wet

See the full definition for damp in the English Language Learners Dictionary

damp

\ ˈdamp

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Kids Definition of damp

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : moisture The cold and damp made me shiver.

2 : a harmful gas found especially in coal mines

damp

damped; damping

Kids Definition of damp (Entry 2 of 3)

damp

damper; dampest

Kids Definition of damp (Entry 3 of 3)

: slightly wet : moist

damp

\ ˈdamp

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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

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