Dampness: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ’ง
Add to dictionary

dampness

 

[ หˆdรฆmpnษ™s ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in a room

A slight wetness or moisture in the air or on a surface, often causing a feeling of clamminess.

Synonyms

humidity, moisture, wetness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
dampness

Best used to describe a slightly wet condition, often in a negative context, such as for walls, fabric, or air.

  • The dampness in the basement is causing mold to grow.
  • I felt a dampness in the air after the rain.
moisture

Describes a moderate amount of liquid, typically water, present in various things. Often used in scientific or technical contexts.

  • Plants need the right level of moisture in the soil to grow.
  • You could feel the moisture in the air near the waterfall.
humidity

Refers to a high level of water vapor in the air, often used in meteorological contexts or to describe general climate conditions.

  • The humidity is making it feel much hotter than it actually is.
  • High humidity can make it difficult to breathe.
wetness

Used to describe something that is completely soaked or covered in water. This word has a clear emphasis on being fully wet.

  • The wetness of the floor made it slippery.
  • I could feel the wetness soaking through my shoes.

Examples of usage

  • The dampness in the room made the air feel heavy and uncomfortable.
  • I could feel the dampness of the walls as soon as I entered the basement.
Context #2 | Noun

in the ground

Excessive moisture or water in the soil or ground.

Synonyms

humidity, moisture, wetness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
dampness

Dampness refers to a slight wetness, often in an unwanted or uncomfortable way. It's commonly used to describe conditions in buildings, clothing, or weather.

  • The dampness in the basement caused mold to grow.
  • Wearing a raincoat prevented the dampness from soaking through my clothes.
moisture

Moisture is a general term for the presence of water or other liquid in very small quantities. It is often used in contexts related to weather, skin care, and food preservation.

  • It's important to seal the bag to keep moisture out of the snacks.
  • Lotion helps to retain skin moisture.
wetness

Wetness describes a condition where something is covered or saturated with water or another liquid. It can be used in various contexts, including weather, surfaces, and sensations.

  • The wetness of the grass made it uncomfortable to sit down.
  • Be cautious of the wetness on the bathroom floor to avoid slipping.
humidity

Humidity specifically refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air. It's often used in weather reports or discussions about climate and comfort levels.

  • The humidity today is over 80%, making it feel much hotter than it actually is.
  • High humidity can cause frizzy hair.

Examples of usage

  • The constant dampness of the soil made it difficult for plants to thrive in the garden.
  • The dampness in the ground caused the basement to flood during heavy rain.
Context #3 | Noun

in clothing

A slight wetness or moisture on fabric or clothing.

Synonyms

humidity, moisture, wetness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
dampness

This word is used to describe a slight wet condition, often in a negative way, especially when referring to a place that should be dry, such as a room or a piece of clothing.

  • The dampness in the basement made it smell musty.
  • She felt the dampness of her socks after walking through the wet grass.
moisture

This word refers to small amounts of liquid, usually water, that are present in or on a surface. It is often used in both positive and neutral contexts.

  • The soil has enough moisture to support plant growth.
  • There was moisture on the inside of the car windows.
wetness

This term describes the condition of being covered in or saturated with water or another liquid. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the situation.

  • He could feel the wetness of the rain soaking through his jacket.
  • The wetness of the freshly mopped floor was noticeable.
humidity

This term is often used in meteorology to describe the amount of water vapor in the air. It can also refer to the state of being humid in general.

  • The high humidity made it feel hotter than it actually was.
  • Plants often thrive in environments with high humidity.

Examples of usage

  • She shivered as the dampness of her clothes seeped into her skin.
  • The dampness of the fabric made it uncomfortable to wear the jacket.

Translations

Translations of the word "dampness" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น umidade

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเคฎเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Feuchtigkeit

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kelembaban

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฒะพะปะพะณั–ัั‚ัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ wilgoฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆนฟๆฐ—

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท humiditรฉ

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ humedad

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท nem

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์Šต๊ธฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑุทูˆุจุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vlhkost

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vlhkosลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆนฟๆฐ”

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ vlaga

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ raki

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะดั‹ะผา›ั‹ะปะดั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒ˜แƒฃแƒฎแƒ•แƒ”

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ rรผtubษ™t

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ humedad

Etymology

The word 'dampness' originated from the Middle English word 'dampenesse', which in turn came from the Old French word 'dampness' meaning 'moisture'. The concept of dampness has long been associated with feelings of discomfort and clamminess, leading to its usage in various contexts related to moisture and wetness.

See also: damp, dampen.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,342, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.