moisture
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a small amount of water or other liquid that makes something feel damp or wet.
water or other liquid diffused in a small quantity as vapour, within a solid, or condensed on a surface.
Simple“The morning moisture on the grass soaked through my shoes as I walked.”
In context“The high levels of moisture in the basement eventually led to the growth of mould along the lower edges of the drywall.”
UsageUsually uncountable; when used in the plural, it refers to different types or sources of liquid.
- 02 C1 Advanced
the amount of liquid on your skin, which doctors check to see if you are healthy.
the state of the skin's surface regarding hydration or perspiration, evaluated during a clinical assessment.
Simple“The nurse checked the patient's skin moisture to see if they were dehydrated.”
In context“During the primary survey, the paramedic noted that the patient's skin moisture was diaphoretic, suggesting a possible state of shock.”
UsageOften used in clinical reports to describe skin as dry, moist, or clammy.
Teacher's tipThis sense is specific to medical contexts; in everyday English, people usually just say 'sweat' or 'dry skin'.
Synonymsperspirationhydration
From Middle English moisture, from Old French moistour (“moisture, dampness, wetness”). Compare French moiteur.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.