damp

noun

\ ˈdamp

Definition of damp

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a noxious gas — compare black damp, firedamp

2 : moisture:

a : humidity, dampness

b archaic : fog, mist

3a : discouragement, check

b archaic : depression, dejection

damp

verb

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)

2 : dampen

intransitive verb

: to diminish progressively in vibration or oscillation

damp

adjective

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

That's what happens when your hair is still slightly damp. — Megan Gustashaw, Glamour, "7 Tips That'll Make Curling Your Hair So Much Easier," 26 Apr. 2019 So often, the promise of a glorious four-day Easter break is sadly let down by damp mornings, cool temperatures, and endless spring rain. — Vogue, "An Easter Weekend in the English Countryside With Alice Naylor-Leyland," 22 Apr. 2019 Wrap corn tortillas in damp paper towel and microwave for 30-60 seconds. — San Antonio Express-News, "Recipe: Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas," 19 Mar. 2018 The afternoon would take us to artisan towns like Dzitbalchén, known for its embroidered blouses, and Bécal, where Mexico’s finest panama hats are woven from hair-thin lengths of palm in damp underground caves. — Michael Snyder, New York Times, "In Campeche, Pyramids Are Everywhere. Crowds Are Not," 2 Feb. 2018 For a more natural approach, sprinkle table salt to absorb spills and wipe it up with a damp sponge or cloth once the oven is cool. — Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, "How to Clean an Oven Quickly and Painlessly," 18 Dec. 2018 Wipe away any excess marker with a damp paper towel. 3. — Woman's Day Staff, Woman's Day, "50+ Creative Pumpkin Carving Ideas for Halloween," 25 July 2018 To preserve freshness, line a baking sheet with damp paper towels, place eggs with the rounded side facing up, and cover with plastic wrap. — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "How to Make Best Deviled Eggs Ever," 29 Mar. 2019 Avoid infections by getting out of damp underwear as fast as possible after sports and other sweaty activity. — Lily Puckett, Teen Vogue, "7 Reasons Why Your Vagina Is Itchy," 28 Mar. 2019

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.