wet
WEHT
Wet (adj) means Covered in or soaked with liquid, usually water. Example: “Her hair was still wet from the shower.”
adj
1
Covered in or soaked with liquid, usually water.
"Her hair was still wet from the shower."
"Careful, the paint on that bench is still wet."
"The dog shook itself and splashed everyone with its wet fur."
2
Describing weather that brings a lot of rain.
"It's been the wettest autumn on record."
"We cancelled the picnic because the weather has been so wet this week."
"Take an umbrella, because tomorrow looks wet across most of the country."
3
British informal: lacking backbone or firmness of character; feeble.
"He was mocked at school for being a bit wet."
"Don't be so wet, it's only a small spider!"
"His brothers thought he was wet for refusing to try the high diving board."
verb
1
To make something wet by applying liquid to it.
"Wet the cloth before you wipe down the counter."
"She wet her lips nervously before starting her speech."
"Wet the soil gently so the seeds do not wash away."
How to use wet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCovered in liquid, or (of weather) rainy; informally, someone spineless.
When to use it
The "spineless person" sense is mainly British slang and can sound old-fashioned or schoolyard.
Common pairings
soaking wet
wet weather
wet paint
wet blanket
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Word forms
- Comparative
- wetter
- Superlative
- wettest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her hair was still _____ from the shower.
Etymology
From Old English wǣt, related to the word "water" itself — both trace back to an ancient root simply meaning "water" or "wet."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “wet” mean?
The word “wet” means covered in or soaked with liquid, usually water. In plain terms, covered in liquid, or (of weather) rainy; informally, someone spineless.
How do you pronounce “wet”?
“Wet” is pronounced WEHT (/ˈwɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “wet” in a sentence?
Here is “wet” used in a sentence: “Her hair was still wet from the shower.”
What is another word for “wet”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wet” include bewatered, damp, drenched, dripping, drunk and humid.
What is the opposite of “wet”?
The opposite of “wet” — its antonyms — is dry.
What part of speech is “wet”?
Depending on how it is used, “wet” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “wet” come from?
The word “wet” comes from Old English. From Old English wǣt, related to the word "water" itself — both trace back to an ancient root simply meaning "water" or "wet.".
Is “wet” a common word?
“Wet” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between wet, damp, and moist?
They describe increasing amounts of liquid. 'Damp' means slightly wet — a light, often unwanted trace of moisture. 'Moist' means noticeably but pleasantly wet, as with cake or soil. 'Wet' is the strongest, meaning covered in or soaked with liquid. Something soaked or dripping is fully wet, not merely damp.
What is the opposite of wet?
The direct opposite is 'dry,' meaning free from liquid or moisture. Depending on context you might also use 'parched' or 'arid' for extreme dryness, as with land or weather. A towel straight from the wash is wet; once all the water has gone, it is dry.
Does 'wet' always mean water?
No. Although water is the usual cause, anything covered in or soaked with liquid is wet — paint, oil, ink or juice all leave a surface wet. The word simply describes the presence of liquid, so 'wet paint' warns that the coating has not yet dried, whatever the fluid.
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