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 Obata said damp and heavy snow that couldn't be moved by ploughs had trapped large trucks on Wednesday. — NBC News, "Huge traffic jam strands hundreds after heavy snowfall in Japan," 18 Dec. 2020 The first step in painting new, bare drywall is to clean the surface with a damp cloth. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Successfully Paint Any Wall in Your House," 18 Dec. 2020 Use a damp cloth to clean off dust and grime, being careful not to let any liquid seep inside. — Brigitt Earley, Good Housekeeping, "Everything You Should Clean At Home After Someone Has Been Sick," 11 Dec. 2020 Rub the paste into the tree sap with a damp sponge or clean rag. — Washington Post, "Hints From Heloise: Creating memories with the grandchildren," 4 Dec. 2020 In either case, sweep dust out of the joints with a clean plastic brush, then wipe the surface with a damp sponge or clean cloth and let dry. — Roy Berendson, Popular Mechanics, "6 Bathroom Renovations You Can Tackle Without a Contractor," 13 Sep. 2020 Clean the wall's surface by wiping it down with a damp sponge or cloth and a mild, non-abrasive cleaner. — Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, "How to Apply Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper for Long-Lasting Results," 6 Aug. 2020 Vigorously rub the mineral spirits and the tree sap from the paint with a clean, damp cloth. — Washington Post, "Hints From Heloise: Creating memories with the grandchildren," 4 Dec. 2020 For the water reservoir and lid, remove the water filter, then wipe the surfaces with a damp, soapy cloth. — Lauren Smith Mcdonough, Good Housekeeping, "How to Clean a Keurig Coffee Maker the Right Way," 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 16 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

\

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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