# moisten

/ˈmɔɪsən/ (US) · /mˈɔɪstən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/moisten
Updated: 2026-10-08

## Definition

to make something slightly wet. You might do this to a piece of cloth or your lips to stop them from feeling dry.

For teachers: to make something slightly or moderately wet. Transitive in most contexts, though it can appear intransitively to describe the process of becoming damp.

## Examples

- You should moisten the cloth before you clean the table.
- The baker used a pastry brush to moisten the edges of the dough so they would stick together.
- Before applying the bandage, the nurse used a sterile solution to moisten the surrounding skin, ensuring the adhesive would not cause irritation upon removal.

## Synonyms

dampen, wet, mist, spray

## Antonyms

Dry

## Usage notes

- Transitive — takes a direct object. Often used with 'with' to indicate the liquid used.

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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.