# wet

/ˈwɛt/ (US) · /wˈɛt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wet
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. covered in liquid

adjective · CEFR A1

covered or soaked with water or another liquid.

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

- Be careful walking on the floor because it is still wet from the mop.
- The hikers were completely wet by the time they reached the cabin, as their waterproof gear had failed during the storm.

### 2. rainy weather

adjective · CEFR A2

used to describe weather when it is raining.

For teachers: characterised by rain or frequent precipitation.

- We had very wet weather during our holiday in Scotland.
- The forecast predicts a wet weekend, which may force the organisers to move the outdoor concert into the local town hall.

### 3. weak or feeble

adjective · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

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

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

- Don't be so wet; just tell him that you disagree with his plan.
- The manager was often criticised for being too wet to discipline staff who consistently arrived late for their shifts.

### 4. biological or chemical

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- She spent the afternoon in the wet lab testing the new blood samples.
- The transition from theoretical modeling to wet chemistry requires a significant shift in safety protocols and equipment handling.

### 5. to make damp

verb · CEFR A2

to put water or liquid on something.

For teachers: to cover or saturate something with liquid; to make something wet.

- You should wet the cloth before you try to wipe the table.
- The gardener carefully wetted the soil around the seedlings to ensure they stayed hydrated during the heatwave.

### 6. to urinate accidentally

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- The puppy was so excited to see us that he wet the floor.
- Parents often worry when a child who has been dry for months suddenly starts to wet the bed again.

### 7. moisture or rain

noun · CEFR B1

liquid, moisture, or rainy weather.

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

- Come inside and get out of the wet before you catch a cold.
- The morning wet still clung to the grass, soaking through the hikers' boots within minutes of leaving the trail.

## Examples

- My clothes are wet from the rain.
- Be careful, the floor is still wet because I just finished mopping it.
- The manuscript was discovered in a damp cellar, its pages wet and fragile after decades of neglect.

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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.