noun

damper

DAMP

Damper (noun) means something that spoils an otherwise good mood or occasion. Example: “The rain put a real damper on the outdoor wedding.”

noun

Something that spoils an otherwise good mood or occasion.

"The rain put a real damper on the outdoor wedding."

A metal plate or valve inside a fireplace, stove, or duct that controls airflow.

"Open the damper before lighting the fire so the smoke can escape."

A device that reduces vibration or shock in a mechanical system.

"The car's suspension uses dampers to smooth out bumps in the road."

How to use damper

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost often used for anything that spoils the mood, but also a technical term for a valve or shock absorber.

Common pairings

put a damper on open the damper shock damper

Word forms

dampers plural

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The rain put a real _____ on the outdoor wedding.

Etymology

From damp (the verb) plus -er, someone or something that "damps." The plain, yeast-free bread of the same name is a separate, later use of the word, first recorded around 1825.

· First attested 1825

Class of 1825 damper joined the language around 1825.

teeny

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Rhymes for damper

hamper camper pamper tamper scamper stamper

See all rhymes for damper →

Frequently asked questions

What does “damper” mean?

The word “damper” means something that spoils an otherwise good mood or occasion. In plain terms, most often used for anything that spoils the mood, but also a technical term for a valve or shock absorber.

How do you pronounce “damper”?

“Damper” is pronounced DAMP (/ˈdæmpɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “damper” in a sentence?

Here is “damper” used in a sentence: “The rain put a real damper on the outdoor wedding.”

What part of speech is “damper”?

“Damper” is a noun.

Where does the word “damper” come from?

The word “damper” dates back to around 1825. From damp (the verb) plus -er, someone or something that "damps." The plain, yeast-free bread of the same name is a separate, later use of the word, first recorded around 1825.

How many meanings does “damper” have?

“Damper” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something that spoils an otherwise good mood or occasion.