moist

adjective

ˈmȯist 

1

: slightly or moderately wet : damp

I love cookies when they are moist and chewy.

2

: tearful

the eyes of both of us … were moist with the joy of success

—Jack London

3

: characterized by high humidity

Fog is formed when warm moist air moves over a cold surface.

moistly adverb

moistness

ˈmȯis(t)-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• damp
• dampish
• dank
• wettish

Choose the Right Synonym for moist

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 moist in a Sentence

I love cookies when they are moist and chewy.

The pork chops were tender and moist.

a moist and spongy chocolate cake

The plant grows best in direct sunlight and with rich, moist soil.

She dabbed her moist eyes with a handkerchief.

Fog is formed when warm moist air moves over a cold surface.

The eggs will hatch sooner in warm, moist conditions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade Soil Type: Medium to moist, well-draining, rich Soil pH: Neutral (6.5-7.5) USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 7 With lacy foliage and tall flower spikes, larkspur adds gorgeous texture and upright structure to the summer garden. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 18 May 2025

Keep the soil moist to prevent stress that would affect fruit drop. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 May 2025

The moist air will start spreading across San Diego County a short time later and will linger well into Sunday morning. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025

Salamanders live in moist environments to keep their smooth, slippery skin wet in order to breathe, according to the Texas Wildlife Association. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English moiste, from Anglo-French, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *muscidus, alteration of Latin mucidus slimy, from mucus nasal mucus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for moist

• foist
• hoist
• joist
• voiced
• rejoiced
• unvoiced

Kids Definition

moist

adjective

ˈmȯist 

1

: slightly or moderately wet

moist earth

2

: characterized by high humidity

moistly adverb

moistness

ˈmȯis(t)-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

moist

adjective

ˈmȯist 

1

: slightly or moderately wet

2

a

: marked by a discharge or exudation of liquid

moist eczema

b

: suggestive of the presence of liquid

—used of sounds heard in auscultation

moist rales