damp

1 of 3

noun

ˈdamp 

1

: a noxious gas compare black damp, firedamp

2

: moisture:

a

: humidity, dampness

b

archaic : fog, mist

3

a

: discouragement, check

b

archaic : depression, dejection

damp

2 of 3

verb

damped; damping; damps

transitive verb

1

a

: 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)

2

: dampen

intransitive verb

: to diminish progressively in vibration or oscillation

damp

3 of 3

adjective

1

: slightly or moderately wet : moist

a damp towel

also : humid

damp weather

2

a

archaic : being confused, bewildered, or shocked : stupefied

b

: depressed, dull

dampish

ˈdam-pish 

adjective

damply adverb

dampness noun

Synonyms of damp

Noun

• moisture
• humidity

Verb

• drain
• undermine
• exhaust
• weaken
• dampen
• wear
• desiccate
• deaden
• petrify
• dehydrate
• devitalize

Adjective

• humid

Choose the Right Synonym for damp

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

The qualifying round and first round of the women’s draw was played on Tuesday in damp, chillier conditions than usual. —Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026

Opened in 1927 as a high-rise apartment building but converted during the war years into an upscale stay, the Pontchartrain had suffered over decades of rising damp and tumbling fortunes. —Rick Bragg, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026

Verb

Gnats are tiny flying pests that are attracted to warm, moist environments and are often found near overripe fruits and vegetables, damp soil and standing water. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 24 Mar. 2026

Tarkovsky repeatedly stages scenes of Stalker lying down in a fetal position on the cold and damp earth. —Literary Hub, 23 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Just keep them cozy with some damp bedding and a cool climate. —Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026

Pohutsky also alleged inmates at the Ypsilanti facility suffered from health issues directly stemming from unsafe living conditions, including an inmate who tested positive for Aspergillus niger, a type of black mold found in damp indoor environments. —CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, black damp, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German, vapor; akin to Old High German damph vapor

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Adjective

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing damp

• black damp
• damp squib

Rhymes for damp

• amp
• champ
• clamp
• cramp
• gamp
• lamp
• ramp
• samp
• scamp
• stamp
• tamp
• tramp

Kids Definition

damp

1 of 3 noun

ˈdamp 

1

: a harmful gas especially in a coal mine

2

: moisture, humidity

3

: discouragement sense 2

damp

2 of 3 verb

: dampen

damp

3 of 3 adjective

: slightly wet

dampness noun

Medical Definition

damp

noun

ˈdamp 

: a noxious or stifling gas or vapor

especially : one occurring in coal mines

—usually used in plural see black damp, firedamp