Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Mugginess Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🌧️
Add to dictionary

mugginess

[ˈmʌɡiˌnəs ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

weather

The quality of being warm, damp, and unpleasantly humid.

Synonyms

damp, humid, sticky.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
mugginess

This word is often used to describe a hot and sweaty feeling in the air, usually making people feel uncomfortable. It implies a combination of heat and excessive moisture.

  • The mugginess of the summer evenings made it hard to sleep.
  • The mugginess in the crowded room was unbearable.
humid

This word is typically used in a more neutral way to describe weather conditions where there is a high level of moisture in the air. It can relate to climates or specific days.

  • The weather forecast predicts a humid day ahead.
  • Tropical regions are often humid throughout the year.
damp

This word is used to describe something that is slightly wet or moist, often in a way that is uncomfortable or undesirable. It can refer to weather, rooms, or objects.

  • The basement was damp and smelled musty.
  • After the rain, the ground was still damp.
sticky

This word often describes a situation where both heat and moisture are high, making surfaces and skin feel tacky. It can also describe surfaces that are glue-like.

  • The humidity made my skin feel sticky and uncomfortable.
  • The sticky note wouldn't peel off the surface cleanly.

Examples of usage

  • The mugginess of the air made it difficult to breathe.
  • The mugginess of the room made it uncomfortable to stay inside.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Weather Patterns

  • Mugginess is often caused by high humidity, which is when there's a lot of moisture in the air.
  • Tropical regions are typically muggier than others because they have warmer temperatures and higher humidity.
  • Mugginess can make hot temperatures feel even hotter, which is why weather reports often include humidity levels.

Health Effects

  • High levels of humidity can make it challenging for our bodies to cool down, leading to overheating or heat-related illnesses.
  • Mugginess can affect sleep quality, causing discomfort during the night and making it hard for some people to rest.
  • People with respiratory issues may find mugginess exacerbates their conditions, as humid air can be harder to breathe.

Cultural References

  • In literature, mugginess often sets a mood for tension or discomfort, used to evoke feelings of oppression or lethargy.
  • Songs about summer often mention mugginess, celebrating or lamenting the heavy, sticky weather that accompanies it.
  • Regional sayings about mugginess can reveal cultural attitudes towards hot and humid summers, guiding how communities prepare or cope.

Geographical Influence

  • Cities near large bodies of water, like the Gulf of Mexico, tend to experience higher mugginess levels because of evaporating moisture.
  • Mountainous areas can sometimes have a 'muggy' feeling in summer, despite being cooler overall, due to orographic lifting of moist air.
  • Some regions have a seasonal pattern of mugginess, typically peaking during the summer months when temperatures rise.

Science of Humidity

  • Humidity is measured as a percentage, known as relative humidity, which compares the current air's moisture to the maximum amount it can hold at that temperature.
  • When warm air containing moisture cools, it can lead to condensation, creating visible droplets like dew or fog, often during muggy conditions.
  • Certain indoor environments, like greenhouses, may control mugginess to create ideal growing conditions, balancing heat and moisture for plants.

Origin of 'mugginess'

The word 'mugginess' originated from the late 18th century, derived from the adjective 'muggy', which means warm, damp, and close. The term is commonly used to describe the uncomfortable feeling associated with humid and sticky weather conditions.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,536, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.