humid

adjective

hu·​mid ˈhyü-məd 

ˈyü-

: containing or characterized by perceptible moisture especially to the point of being oppressive

humidly adverb

Synonyms of humid

• damp
• sticky

Choose the Right Synonym for humid

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 humid in a Sentence

the air was so humid that our beach towels hanging on the line never really got dry

Recent Examples on the Web

It's made worse by generally more humid conditions, also attributable to climate change. — Scott Neuman, NPR, 2 July 2026

When perspiration cannot evaporate in humid air, moisture clings to the skin and body temperature climbs rapidly, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026

Winner goes to the Round of 16 (in a different, hopefully less humid city). — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 1 July 2026

Temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s across a large portion of the central and eastern United States, with some communities seeing multiple days of hot and humid conditions before the Fourth of July holiday weekend arrives. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

French or Latin; French humide, from Latin humidus, from humēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for humid

• tumid

Kids Definition

humid

adjective

hu·​mid ˈhyü-məd 

ˈyü-

: damp entry 3, moist

a humid climate

humidly adverb

Medical Definition

humid

adjective

hu·​mid ˈhyü-məd  ˈyü- 

: containing or characterized by perceptible moisture especially to the point of being oppressive

a hot humid climate