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REFERENCE

wet

adj. · v. · n.
US //ˈwɛt// UK //wˈɛt// wet
  1. 1 covered in liquid (adj.)
    A1 Beginner

    covered or soaked with water or another liquid.

    covered, saturated, or impregnated with water or another liquid; the primary literal sense.

    Example

    Be careful walking on the floor because it is still wet from the mop.

    Example

    The hikers were completely wet by the time they reached the cabin, as their waterproof gear had failed during the storm.
  2. 2 rainy weather (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    used to describe weather when it is raining.

    characterised by rain or frequent precipitation.

    Example

    We had very wet weather during our holiday in Scotland.

    Example

    The forecast predicts a wet weekend, which may force the organisers to move the outdoor concert into the local town hall.
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  1. 3 weak or feeble (adj.)
    C1 Advanced British English Informal

    describes someone who is weak or has no strength of character.

    denoting a person perceived as weak, ineffectual, or lacking in resolve.

    Example

    Don't be so wet; just tell him that you disagree with his plan.

    Example

    The manager was often criticised for being too wet to discipline staff who consistently arrived late for their shifts.
  2. 4 biological or chemical (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    describes a lab or scientist working with chemicals or biological samples.

    pertaining to laboratory work involving chemicals, drugs, or biological matter in liquid form.

    Example

    She spent the afternoon in the wet lab testing the new blood samples.

    Example

    The transition from theoretical modeling to wet chemistry requires a significant shift in safety protocols and equipment handling.
  3. 5 to make damp (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to put water or liquid on something.

    to cover or saturate something with liquid; to make something wet.

    Example

    You should wet the cloth before you try to wipe the table.

    Example

    The gardener carefully wetted the soil around the seedlings to ensure they stayed hydrated during the heatwave.
  4. 6 to urinate accidentally (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to accidentally go to the toilet in your clothes or bed.

    to involuntarily discharge urine into one's clothing or bedding.

    Example

    The puppy was so excited to see us that he wet the floor.

    Example

    Parents often worry when a child who has been dry for months suddenly starts to wet the bed again.

  5. 7 moisture or rain (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    liquid, moisture, or rainy weather.

    liquid or moisture in the environment; often refers specifically to rain.

    Example

    Come inside and get out of the wet before you catch a cold.

    Example

    The morning wet still clung to the grass, soaking through the hikers' boots within minutes of leaving the trail.
Origin

From Middle English wet (“wet, moistened”), wett, wette, past participle of Middle English weten (“to wet”), from Old English wǣtan (“to wet, moisten, water”), from Proto-West Germanic wātijan, from Proto-Germanic wētijaną (“to wet, make wet”), from Proto-Indo-European *wed- (“water, wet”) (also the source of water). Cognate with Scots weit, wete (“to wet”), Saterland Frisian wäitje (“to wet; drench”), Icelandic væta (“to wet”). Compare also Middle English weet (“wet”), from Old English wǣt (“wet, moist, rainy”), from Proto-West Germanic wāt, from Proto-Germanic wētaz (“wet, moist”), related to Scots weit, weet, wat (“wet”), North Frisian wiat, weet, wäit (“wet”), Saterland Frisian wäit (“wet”), West Frisian wiet (“wet”), Middle Dutch wet (“wet, damp, watery”), Swedish and Norwegian våt (“wet”), Danish våd (“wet”), Faroese vátur (“wet”), Icelandic votur (“wet”).

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