adj
Uncommon
moist
moyst
Moist (adj) means Slightly wet; damp. Example: “The soil felt moist after the morning rain.”
adj
1
Slightly wet; damp.
"The soil felt moist after the morning rain."
"She wiped the counter with a moist cloth."
"Keep the sponge cake moist by covering it with a clean tea towel."
2
Of eyes: filled with tears.
"His eyes went moist as he read the letter aloud."
"Her eyes grew moist when the choir began to sing."
"The old soldier's moist eyes showed how much the ceremony meant to him."
3
(of a climate) Humid or rainy.
"The rainforest has a warm, moist climate year-round."
"Ferns thrive in a moist climate with plenty of rain."
"The moist air on the coast makes the washing slow to dry."
How to use moist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlightly wet or damp, without being soaking or dripping.
Common mistake
Many English speakers report a strong aversion to this word's sound, especially in food contexts ("moist cake") — a well-documented quirk, not a grammar issue.
Common pairings
moist soil
moist air
moist eyes
moist towelette
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- moists
- Past tense
- moisted
- Comparative
- moister, more moist
- Superlative
- moistest, most moist
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The soil felt _____ after the morning rain.
Etymology
From Middle English moist, from Old French moiste, of uncertain further origin, possibly blending a Latin word for "mouldy" with one meaning "grape juice, must."
Related words
Rhymes for moist
See all rhymes for moist →Frequently asked questions
What does “moist” mean?
The word “moist” means slightly wet; damp. In plain terms, slightly wet or damp, without being soaking or dripping.
How do you pronounce “moist”?
“Moist” is pronounced moyst (/mɔɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “moist” in a sentence?
Here is “moist” used in a sentence: “The soil felt moist after the morning rain.”
What part of speech is “moist”?
“Moist” is an adjective.
Where does the word “moist” come from?
The word “moist” comes from Latin. From Middle English moist, from Old French moiste, of uncertain further origin, possibly blending a Latin word for "mouldy" with one meaning "grape juice, must.".
Is “moist” a common word?
“Moist” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “moist” have?
“Moist” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: slightly wet; damp.
What is the difference between moist and damp?
Moist and damp both describe a small amount of wetness, but moist often carries a slightly more positive or neutral tone (a moist cake, moist soil) while damp can suggest an unwelcome or clammy wetness, as in damp walls or damp weather. In many everyday contexts the two words are interchangeable.
Why do some people dislike the word moist?
Moist is frequently cited in word-aversion surveys as one of the most disliked words in English, with many people reporting a strong negative reaction to its sound or its association with texture and bodily contexts. Linguists have studied this reaction, though the exact cause remains debated.
Can moist describe a climate as well as a surface?
Yes, moist can describe a humid or rainy climate, such as a moist tropical region, in addition to describing a slightly wet surface or object like moist cake or moist soil. It can also describe eyes filled with tears, as in her eyes went moist.
