# dampen

/ˈdæmpən/ (US) · /dˈæmpən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dampen
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

to make something slightly wet or to reduce the strength of a feeling or an activity. You use it when you want to say that something is not as strong or dry as it was before.

For teachers: to make something slightly wet or moist; figuratively, to reduce the intensity or effectiveness of a feeling, action, or process. Often used in the passive voice to describe the suppression of enthusiasm or the weakening of a signal.

## Examples

- The rain began to dampen the grass in the garden.
- The heavy clouds started to dampen the mood of the outdoor wedding party.
- While the initial data was promising, the subsequent analysis began to dampen the researchers' excitement by revealing several significant statistical anomalies.

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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.