damp
gb/dˈæmp/ us/dˈæmp/
A2
English
~ 4400
nyirkos, nedves, nedvesség, nyirkosság, benedvesít, csillapít, lelohaszt, tompít
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is damp
The grass was still damp from the morning dew.
A fű még nyirkos volt a reggeli harmattól.
I hung my shirt outside, but it’s still damp.
Kitettem száradni az ingemet, de még mindig nedves.
The walls feel damp after the heavy rain.
Her hair was damp from the drizzle.
Learner examples
The towel is damp.
A törölköző nedves.
My shoes are damp from the rain.
A cipőm nedves lett az esőtől.
The floor is damp after cleaning.
His shirt is damp with sweat.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'damp' with 'humid'. 'Damp' refers to something that is physically a little wet, while 'humid' refers to moisture in the air.
Meaning
slightly wet or moist
Collocations
damp clothes
|damp ground
|damp towel
|damp air
|slightly damp
Synonyms
moist (Similar meaning but can have a more neutral or even positive connotation.)
Antonyms
dry (Describes the absence of moisture.)
Themes
daily life
|weather
|home
|daily_life
|housing
Definition
A little bit wet, usually in a way you do not like.
Slightly wet, often in an unpleasant way.
NOUN
B1
2
nedvesség
B1
nyirkosság
B2
Usage pattern:
the damp in [something]
There’s a patch of damp on the wall.
Nedves folt van a falon.
The basement smells of damp.
A pincében dohos, nyirkos szag van.
The books were ruined by damp.
Learner examples
There is damp on the wall.
Nedves folt van a falon.
The room smells of damp.
A szobában dohos, nyirkos szag van.
Damp can damage clothes.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'damp' (noun) with 'humidity'. Humidity refers to moisture in the air, not in walls or objects.
Meaning
slight moisture on a surface
Collocations
smell of damp
|signs of damp
|patch of damp
Synonyms
moisture (More general; can refer to any amount of water present.)
Antonyms
dryness (The state of being free from moisture.)
Themes
home
|weather
|daily_life
|housing
Definition
A small amount of wetness that makes something feel bad or smell bad.
Slight moisture, often causing something to feel unpleasant or musty.
VERB
B1
3
benedvesít
B1
Usage pattern:
to damp [something]
She damped the cloth before wiping the table.
Benedvesítette a rongyot, mielőtt letörölte az asztalt.
Damp the soil before planting the seeds.
A magok elültetése előtt nedvesítsd be a talajt.
He damped his hair to style it.
Learner examples
Damp the towel before cleaning.
Takarítás előtt nedvesítsd be a törölközőt.
I damp my hands before touching the paper.
Benedvesítem a kezemet, mielőtt hozzáérek a papírhoz.
Damp the sponge with water.
Meaning
make something slightly wet
Collocations
damp a cloth
|damp the sponge
Synonyms
moisten (Often used for more deliberate or gentle action, especially in cooking or cleaning.)
Antonyms
dry (To remove moisture from something.)
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something a little wet.
To make something slightly wet.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
to damp [something] down
The rain damped our excitement for the picnic.
Az eső lelohasztotta a lelkesedésünket a piknik iránt.
Thick curtains help to damp noise from outside.
A vastag függönyök segítenek tompítani a kintről beszűrődő zajt.
The shock absorbers damp vibrations.
Learner examples
The bad news damped her smile.
A rossz hír elhalványította a mosolyát.
Soft walls damp sound in the room.
A szoba puha falai tompítják a hangot.
Rain can damp a fire.
Meaning
reduce intensity or strength
Collocations
damp enthusiasm
|damp noise
|damp vibration
Synonyms
diminish (General term for making something smaller or weaker.)
Antonyms
intensify (To make stronger or more powerful.)
Themes
emotions
|physics
|core_vocabulary
|work
Definition
To make something weaker or less active.
To make something less strong, active, or intense.
Grammar
Dictionary form
damp
IPA
GB/dˈæmp/
US/dˈæmp/
Syllables & stress
damp (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (damp)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: damp
- Comparative: damper
- Superlative: dampest
Noun
- Base: damp
- Plural: damp
Verb
- Base: damp
- 3rd Person Singular: damps
- Present Participle: damping
- Past: damped
Word family
Expressions
damp down
1/dˈæmp dˈaʊn/
phrasal verb
reduce intensity or activity
To make something less strong or active.
Examples
- The teacher tried to damp down the argument before it got worse.
- Extra insulation will help to damp down the noise from the street.
damp squib
1/dˈæmp skwɪb/
idiom
informal
event that is disappointing or ineffective
Something that is not as good or exciting as expected.
Examples
- The party was a bit of a damp squib after all the hype.
- His performance turned out to be a damp squib.