Moisten: meaning, definitions and examples

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moisten

 

[ หˆmษ”ษชsษ™n ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

wet

To make something slightly wet or damp.

Synonyms

dampen, sprinkle, wet.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
moisten

Used to slightly add moisture to something without soaking it, often in cooking or when caring for plants.

  • Moisten the sponge before wiping the counter
  • Make sure to moisten the soil so the plant can absorb nutrients better
dampen

Typically means to make something slightly wet, often in a way that reduces its effectiveness or enthusiasm. Can have a negative connotation.

  • The rain will dampen the picnic plans
  • The early loss didn't dampen the team's spirits
wet

Refers to making something fully or quite moist, often leading to it becoming soaked or saturated.

  • Don't step on the wet floor
  • He wet the cloth to clean the window
sprinkle

Implies scattering small drops or particles over a surface, usually in a light and even way, often related to cooking or gardening.

  • Sprinkle salt over the salad for extra flavor
  • The gardener will sprinkle water over the seeds

Examples of usage

  • The rain began to moisten the soil in the garden.
  • She used a spray bottle to moisten her hair before styling it.
  • I like to moisten my sponge cake with a bit of syrup for extra flavor.
Context #2 | Verb

food

To add liquid to food to make it softer or more enjoyable to eat.

Synonyms

add liquid to, make wet, soften.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
moisten

Use 'moisten' when you want to describe making something slightly wet, typically to achieve a specific texture or state. It often implies a controlled and delicate action.

  • Please moisten the sponge before cleaning the windows.
  • She moistened the soil before planting the seeds.
add liquid to

Use 'add liquid to' when you need to describe the act of putting any kind of liquid into a substance or mixture in a straightforward and literal sense, without any nuance.

  • Add liquid to the mixture until it reaches the right consistency.
  • You need to add liquid to the batter to make it smoother.
make wet

Use 'make wet' in a general context when describing the action of causing something to become wet. This term has a broad application but might sound less precise.

  • The rain will make the ground wet.
  • Don't make the floor wet or someone could slip.
soften

Use 'soften' when the specific goal is to make something more pliable or less hard, often involving adding moisture or liquid as part of the process.

  • She used a little water to soften the clay before molding it.
  • Soften the butter to make it easier to mix with the dough.

Examples of usage

  • Be sure to moisten the chicken with some broth while it cooks.
  • The recipe calls for moistening the dough with a little milk before baking.
  • He moistened the dry pasta with a drizzle of olive oil.

Translations

Translations of the word "moisten" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น umedecer

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค—เฅ€เคฒเคพ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช befeuchten

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ membasahi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฒะพะปะพะถัƒะฒะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zwilลผyฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆนฟใ‚‰ใ›ใ‚‹ (ใ—ใ‚ใ‚‰ใ›ใ‚‹)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท humidifier

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ humedecer

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท nemlendirmek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ ์‹œ๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชุฑุทูŠุจ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zvlhฤit

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zvlhฤiลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅผ„ๆนฟ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ navlaลพiti

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ bรฆta viรฐ raka

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‹ะปา“ะฐะปะดะฐะฝะดั‹ั€ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒแƒแƒกแƒ•แƒ”แƒšแƒแƒก

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ nษ™mlษ™ndirmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ humedecer

Etymology

The word 'moisten' originated from the Middle English word 'moisteinen', which came from the Old French word 'moiste', meaning damp. The term has been in use since the 14th century, evolving over time to its current form and meaning.

See also: moist, moistness, moisture, moisturize.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,732, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.