humid

adjective

hu·​mid ˈhyü-məd 

ˈyü-

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

humidly adverb

Synonyms

• damp
• muggy
• sticky
• sultry

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

For a smooth finish that holds up under the most humid conditions, look to Color Wow’s signature Dream Coat. —Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 24 May 2025

Madagascar’s new vanilla growers found great success in the lush, humid northeast coast of the island, where the vines attached their aerial roots to shaded tree trunks and climbed toward the canopy. —Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025

Unlike the humid rickhouses of Kentucky, Denver’s dry climate pulls more water than alcohol from the barrels, gradually concentrating the proof over time. —Emily Price, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

Their mid-waist design can complement your favorite T-shirts, or the shorts can easily work with crop tops on humid summer afternoons. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 18 May 2025

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