Word
damp
US/ˈdæmp/
UK/dˈæmp/
Definitions
01slightly wet
B1 · Intermediate
adj. slightly wet, often in a way that feels cold or uncomfortable.
adj. moderately wet or moist; typically used to describe surfaces, fabrics, or atmospheres where moisture is unwanted.
“The grass was still damp from the morning rain when we went outside.”
“The laundry remained damp despite hanging on the line all afternoon, as the high humidity prevented the moisture from evaporating effectively.”
02moisture in a building
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun British English
n. wetness in the air or on walls, especially inside a building.
n. moisture or humidity, particularly that which collects on interior walls or within a confined space.
Español:humedad
“The old house had a problem with damp in the kitchen.”
“Rising damp had caused the wallpaper to peel away from the baseboards, suggesting a significant failure in the building's original damp-proof course.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03to reduce or muffle
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make a sound, feeling, or movement less strong.
v. to reduce the amplitude of a physical vibration or to stifle an emotional response.
“The thick curtains helped to damp the noise from the street.”
“The central bank's decision to raise interest rates was intended to damp inflationary pressures before they could destabilise the national economy.”
Usage
Often used as 'damp down' when referring to fires or emotions.
Etymology
From Middle English dampen (“to stifle; suffocate”). Akin to Low German damp, Dutch damp, and German Dampf (“vapor, steam, fog”), Icelandic dampi, Swedish damm (“dust”), and to German dampf imperative of dimpfen (“to smoke”). Also Middle English dampen (“to extinguish, choke, suffocate”). Ultimately all descend from Proto-Germanic *dampaz.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Idioms
01. damp squib
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/damp
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0