Word
dampening
Phoneticsdamp·en·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdæmpənɪŋ/
UK/dˈæmpənɪŋ/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a process that makes something weaker, quieter, or less lively, like excitement, sound, or movement. You use it when something takes energy out of a situation.
n. a reduction in intensity, vibration, or enthusiasm caused by an external influence. Applies to both physical processes and emotional responses.
Examples
“Rain has a dampening effect on our picnic plans.”
“The layoff news had a dampening effect on the office, and people spoke quietly all afternoon.”
“Economists warned that rising interest rates would have a dampening influence on housing demand without stopping growth entirely.”
Examples
simple
“Rain has a dampening effect on our picnic plans.”
contextual
“The layoff news had a dampening effect on the office, and people spoke quietly all afternoon.”
complex
“Economists warned that rising interest rates would have a dampening influence on housing demand without stopping growth entirely.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dampening” in context.
Verb
01. cause dampening
“The rain caused a dampening of the crowd's excitement.”
verb + noun
02. dampening affects
“The dampening affects how lively the discussion feels.”
noun + verb
03. dampening reduces
“The dampening reduces vibration in the car engine.”
noun + verb
04. increase dampening
“Engineers increased dampening to make the ride smoother.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. effective dampening
“The thick curtains offer effective dampening of light and sound.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. dampening effect
“The bad weather had a dampening effect on ticket sales.”
noun + noun
07. dampening of demand
“Higher rates caused a dampening of demand for new homes.”
noun + prep + noun
08. dampening of enthusiasm
“The price rise led to a dampening of enthusiasm among buyers.”
noun + prep + noun
09. dampening system
“The car uses a new dampening system for a smoother ride.”
noun + noun
10. act as vibration dampening
“The rubber mounts act as vibration dampening for the engine.”
11. have a dampening effect on
“The scandal had a dampening effect on voter turnout.”
12. lead to a dampening of
“The defeat led to a dampening of team spirit.”
Usage
Commonly appears in the phrase 'dampening effect on' followed by a noun.
Real-World Examples
“Goldman Sachs plans to spend tens of millions of dollars to buy or invest in crypto companies after the collapse of the FTX exchange hit valuations and dampened investor interest.” Related words
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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