Clammy: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe something that is unpleasantly damp, often with a cold feeling. It is typically negative and suggests an uncomfortable or unhealthy condition.

• His hands were clammy with nervous sweat.
• The room felt clammy after the rain.

Used to describe something that adheres to other surfaces due to being slightly wet or coated with a substance. It often carries a negative connotation.

• The table was sticky with spilled juice.
• His skin felt sticky after he spilled soda on himself.

Used to describe something that is slightly wet, often in a neutral or mildly negative context. It does not necessarily imply discomfort.

• The towel is still damp from the wash.
• The basement was damp and smelled musty.

Used to describe something that is pleasantly wet or slightly wet in an appealing way. Often used in positive contexts.

• The cake is perfectly moist.
• She applied a moist towel to his forehead.

Used to describe something that feels unpleasantly moist, sticky, and cold, often in reference to skin or a place. The term usually carries a negative connotation.

• His hands felt clammy before the big presentation.
• The basement had a clammy atmosphere that made it uncomfortable to stay in.

Generally positive, used to describe a comfortable, slightly cold temperature. It also can refer to someone or something trendy and impressive.

• The cool breeze was refreshing on the hot day.
• He is considered very cool because of his laid-back attitude.

Used to describe something that is slightly wet, often in an unpleasant way. Commonly refers to environments, materials, or surfaces.

• The leaves were damp from the morning dew.
• The towel was damp, so it wasn't much help in drying off.

Used to describe mildly cold weather or an environment that's a bit uncomfortably cold, but not freezing. It can also refer to a cool and distant emotional state.

• The morning was chilly, so I grabbed a jacket.
• There was a chilly silence between them after the argument.