damp

Universal Words adjective, noun, verb adjective (damper, dampest) slightly wet, often in a way that is unpleasant: The cottage was cold and damp. * It feels damp in here. * damp clothes * Wipe the surface with a damp cloth. damply adverb (rare): The blouse clung damply to her skin. IDIOMS a damp squib (BrE, informal) an event that is disappointing because it is not as exciting or impressive as expected: The celebrations were a bit of a damp squib. noun [U] (BrE) the state of being damp; areas on a wall, etc. that are damp: The old house smells of damp. * Those marks above the window look like damp to me. verb [VN] (rare) = DAMPEN: She damped a towel and wrapped it round his leg. PHRASALVERBS damp down sth to make an emotion or a feeling less strong damp sth<->down to make a fire burn more slowly or stop burning