# damp

/ˈdæmp/ (US) · /dˈæmp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/damp
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. slightly wet

adjective · CEFR B1

slightly wet, often in a way that feels cold or uncomfortable.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. moisture in a building

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

wetness in the air or on walls, especially inside a building.

For teachers: moisture or humidity, particularly that which collects on interior walls or within a confined space.

- 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.

### 4. to reduce or muffle

verb · CEFR B2

to make a sound, feeling, or movement less strong.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The grass is still damp from the morning rain.
- We had to hang the laundry inside because the air outside was too damp for the clothes to dry.
- The old cottage had a persistent damp smell that clung to the curtains and rugs, suggesting that the stone walls had not been properly sealed against the coastal mist.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.