moist
gb/mˈɔɪst/ us/mˈɔɪst/
B1
English
~ 6800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
slightly but pleasantly wet
Slightly wet in a good way, so something is not dry or hard.
Usage pattern:
[something] is/feels/keeps moist
Common mistake:
Learners often use "wet" when "moist" would be more natural, especially for food and soil. "Wet" can mean very or completely covered with water and may sound wrong for things like cake. For example, "wet cake" sounds like an accident, but "moist cake" sounds positive and is the normal phrase.
Synonyms
damp (Very close in meaning, but can sound more neutral or slightly negative, while "moist" is often used when slight wetness is desired (cake, soil).)
|
slightly wet (A descriptive phrase that clearly shows the degree of wetness without the positive connotation "moist" often has with food.)
Antonyms
dry (Describes the absence of moisture, the direct opposite of being moist.)
|
parched (Stronger and more emotional than "dry", often used for land or the mouth that really needs water.)
Collocations
moist cake
|keep the soil moist
|soft and moist
|rich and moist
|moist chocolate brownies
|moist sponge
Themes
food
|nature
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- The cake was wonderfully moist and full of flavor.
- Water the plants every day to keep the soil moist.
- Store the cheese in a slightly moist cloth so it doesn’t harden.
- Her skin felt soft and moist after she used the cream.
- Cover the seeds with moist paper towels until they sprout.
Learner examples
- The bread is still moist inside.
- Please keep the towel moist while you clean the table.
- I put the seeds in moist soil.
- The air in the forest is cool and moist.
- This cream makes my hands feel moist and soft.
adjective
B2
property
2
slightly wet and uncomfortable
Slightly wet in a way that does not feel nice, like sticky skin or heavy air.
Usage pattern:
[body part/air/clothes] are moist
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "moist" instead of "sweaty" for people, which can sound strange. For example, "I am moist" is unusual; it is more natural to say "I am sweaty" or "My hands are moist." Also, for weather, "humid" is often more natural than "moist" when talking about the general climate.
Synonyms
clammy (Emphasizes an unpleasant, cold or sticky moist feeling on the skin.)
|
humid (Usually used for air or climate; suggests a heavy, moist atmosphere rather than surface wetness.)
Antonyms
dry (Describes skin, air, or clothing without noticeable moisture, the simple opposite of moist in this sense.)
|
arid (Used mainly for climate or air; strongly emphasizes being extremely dry, the opposite of warm and moist air.)
Collocations
moist skin
|moist air
|moist armpits
|moist underwear
|warm and moist
|hot and moist climate
Themes
health
|weather
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- After the long run, his shirt was moist with sweat.
- The room was hot and moist, making it hard to breathe.
- Her palms grew moist as she waited to speak on stage.
- The climate there is warm and moist all year round.
- Sitting in moist underwear for hours can cause skin problems.
Learner examples
- My hands are moist because I am nervous.
- The air in this room is warm and moist.
- His back was moist with sweat after the game.
- Her skin felt moist in the hot weather.
- The bathroom was small and very moist after the shower.
Grammar
Dictionary form
moist
IPA
GB/mˈɔɪst/
US/mˈɔɪst/
Syllables & stress
moist (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (moist)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: moist
- Comparative: moister
- Superlative: moistest
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.