dehumidifier

IPA/ˌdiːhjuːˈmɪdɪfaɪə(r)/
KK[dihjumˈɪdəfaɪɚ]IPA/ˌdiːhjuːˈmɪdɪfaɪər/

dehumidifier — noun

  • dehumidifiersingular
  • dehumidifiersplural

1. a device that draws moisture out of the air, used indoors to reduce dampness and

1.nounB1
Definition

a device that draws moisture out of the air, used indoors to reduce dampness and protect rooms and belongings from mould or mildew

Example

Mei-Ling turns on the dehumidifier every morning to keep her bedroom dry.

The damp basement needed a dehumidifier running all day to prevent mildew on the walls.

collocation: damp basement + dehumidifier running all day

Common collocations
  • run a dehumidifier
  • use a dehumidifier
  • a portable dehumidifier
  • a small dehumidifier
  • a large dehumidifier
  • empty the dehumidifier's tank
  • dehumidifier works well
  • dehumidifier for the basement
Antonyms
  • humidifier

    a device that adds moisture to the air, opposite function

Common Mistakes

I bought a dehumidifier because my room is too dry.
I bought a dehumidifier because my room is too damp.
A dehumidifier removes moisture; a humidifier adds it.
The dehumidifier adds water to the air.
The dehumidifier takes water out of the air.
Its function is to dry the air, not moisten it.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, making a room less damp. A humidifier does the opposite — it adds moisture to dry air, helpful in winter or arid climates. An air conditioner cools the air and may reduce humidity as a side effect, but its primary purpose is temperature control, not moisture removal. An air purifier removes dust, pollen, or smoke particles from the air but does not change the humidity level. For example, you use a dehumidifier in a musty basement, a humidifier in a dry bedroom during winter, an air conditioner on a hot summer day, and an air purifier in a room with pet dander or smoke.

dehumidifier ↗humidifierair conditionerair purifier

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • run a dehumidifier
  • empty the dehumidifier
  • turn on the dehumidifier

Prepositions

  • dehumidifier in [room]
  • dehumidifier for [purpose/place]

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Formed from the prefix 'de-' (meaning 'removal' or 'reversal'), the adjective 'humid' (from Latin 'umidus' meaning 'damp, moist'), and the suffix '-ifier' (from Latin '-ficare', meaning 'to make'). The word literally means 'something that makes not damp'. The term entered English in the early 20th century as electrical appliances for controlling indoor moisture became common.