damp
/dæmp/ (bre, ipa) · /dæmp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdamp/ (ame, mw)
damp — adjective
1. having a small amount of surface or airborne moisture that makes something feel
having a small amount of surface or airborne moisture that makes something feel cold or unpleasant.
The basement walls felt damp after three days of steady rain.
collocation: damp + walls / basement
Nila wiped the damp kitchen counter with a dry cloth before setting down the groceries.
Hugo pulled on a damp towel and shivered as he stepped out of the shower.
Walid wiped his damp forehead with the back of his hand after running up the stairs.
- dry
having no water or moisture at all
文法句型
be + damp
damp + noun
用法筆記
Frequently describes something that is unpleasantly wet rather than just slightly wet. Unlike 'moist', which often has positive or neutral associations with food or skin, 'damp' carries a negative or uncomfortable tone when referring to buildings, weather, or fabric.
常見錯誤
damp — noun
1. unwanted moisture that collects on walls, floors, or in the air inside a buildin
unwanted moisture that collects on walls, floors, or in the air inside a building and can cause damage or health problems.
The old cottage had a serious problem with damp every winter.
collocation: problem with damp
Luca noticed dark patches of damp spreading across the bathroom ceiling near the leaking pipe.
collocation: patches of damp
A musty smell of damp filled the basement after the flood.
The surveyor recommended installing a damp-proof course to protect the ground-floor walls.
- moisture
more general and neutral; can be natural or wanted
- humidity
refers to water in the air, not on surfaces
- condensation
specifically water that forms when warm air hits a cold surface
- dryness
the state of being free from moisture
文法句型
a problem with damp
signs of damp
damp + noun
用法筆記
Commonly used in the UK and other temperate climates where old buildings suffer from rising or penetrating moisture. Often paired with 'problem' or 'damage' — 'damp' in this sense is always negative and uncountable.
常見錯誤
damp — verb
1. to reduce how strongly a fire or flame burns, typically by covering it or blocki
to reduce how strongly a fire or flame burns, typically by covering it or blocking its air supply.
Benjamin damped the campfire with sand before heading to his tent.
verb pattern: damp + fire + with [material]
The gardener damped the bonfire to prevent sparks from reaching the dry grass.
Nia damped the wood stove with ash before leaving the cabin for the night.
The potter damped the kiln fire to slowly cool the temperature for a special glaze.
- stoke
to add fuel to make the fire burn more strongly
文法句型
damp + fire/flames + with [material]
用法筆記
Often interchangeable with 'dampen' in this sense. The fire is not fully extinguished — just slowed down or reduced. More common in British English; American English prefers 'dampen'.
2. to slow down or reduce the level of economic or business activity, especially de
to slow down or reduce the level of economic or business activity, especially demand, spending, or growth.
Higher interest rates are expected to damp consumer spending over the next year.
collocation: damp consumer spending
The trade dispute damped the company's export growth in the second quarter.
collocation: damp growth
Rising energy costs damped demand for new cars across Europe.
The new tax on sugary drinks damped sales across the beverage industry.
- boost
to increase or encourage activity or growth
文法句型
damp + [noun: demand/spending/growth]
用法筆記
Nearly always used in formal, business, or economic contexts. The object is typically an abstract noun referring to output, spending, or market activity. Rarely used with a personal subject — instead an impersonal force (taxes, interest rates, crises) is the subject.
常見錯誤
3. to cause an emotion, level of enthusiasm, or a similarly strong feeling to becom
to cause an emotion, level of enthusiasm, or a similarly strong feeling to become weaker.
The bad news damped everyone's excitement about the holiday trip.
collocation: damp excitement
Harper's disappointment at losing the race was damped by her teammates' kind words.
passive: damped by + [thing]
Nothing could damp Jin's enthusiasm for learning Mandarin, even the difficult tones.
Rodrigo's excitement was damped when he learned the concert had been cancelled.
- heighten
to make feelings or emotions stronger
文法句型
damp + [noun: enthusiasm/excitement/spirits]
4. to lessen how much an object shakes or echoes, making its sound quieter or less
to lessen how much an object shakes or echoes, making its sound quieter or less sharp.
Thick rubber mats were installed under the piano to damp the vibration of the floor.
collocation: damp vibration
The soundproof panels in the recording studio damp unwanted echoes.
collocation: damp sound / echoes
Felt pads on the bottom of the chair legs damp the noise when it is pushed across the floor.
Rubber supports inside the washing machine damp the vibration during the spin cycle.
文法句型
damp + [noun: sound/vibration/noise]
用法筆記
This sense is more technical than the other verb senses. In everyday conversation, people usually say 'muffle' or 'deaden' instead of 'damp'. 'Damp' in this sense is common in engineering, acoustics, and music contexts.
常見錯誤
5. to put a small amount of water or other liquid onto a surface, cloth, or materia
to put a small amount of water or other liquid onto a surface, cloth, or material, making it slightly wet.
Kemi damped a cloth with warm water before wiping the dusty shelves.
verb pattern: damp + cloth + with + [liquid]
The florist damped the moss around the potted orchids to keep them fresh.
Hoa lightly damped the soil around each seedling before covering the tray with plastic.
Eitan damped a napkin corner with water and dabbed the ink stain on his shirt.
- dry
to remove moisture or make something no longer wet
文法句型
damp + [noun] + with [liquid]
用法筆記
In modern English, 'dampen' is far more common than 'damp' for this sense, especially in American English. 'Damp' as a verb meaning 'make wet' is rare outside British English and sounds slightly old-fashioned to many speakers.