moist

adjective

ˈmȯist 

1

: slightly or moderately wet : not completely dry

plants that prefer constantly moist soil

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 of moist

• damp

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

Please eat the cake, Malcolm replies, putting a forkful of the moist dessert right up to Liz’s lips. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2025

To keep them moist, cover with cold water (changing it daily) or place a damp paper towel inside the container. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 14 Nov. 2025

The dressing keeps the meat incredibly moist while infusing it with tangy herbs and savory richness. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2025

Up to 16 inches of rainfall drenched the Hill Country area from July 3 to July 5, a landscape known for rapid, raging flooding in extreme rain boosted by moist gulf air moving over the dry, dusty hills. —Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 11 Nov. 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