moisten

UK: ˈmɔɪsən | US: ˈmɔɪsən

Definition

  1. vt. to make slightly wet or damp

  2. vi. to become slightly wet or damp

Structure
moist <damp>en <verb suffix>
Etymology

moisten = moist<damp> + en<verb suffix>

  • moist: From Old French moiste ("damp, moldy"), likely derived from Latin mucidus ("musty, moldy"). The core idea relates to mild wetness.
  • en: A verb-forming suffix of Germanic origin, used to convert adjectives or nouns into verbs (e.g., darken, strengthen).

Etymology Origin:
The word moisten emerged in Late Middle English by combining moist (already in use for dampness) with the suffix -en, which dynamically turns descriptors into actions. This follows a pattern where -en verbs often imply causing or becoming a state (e.g., soften). The logic is transparent: moisten literally means "to make moist."

Examples

  1. She used a spray bottle to moisten the dry soil.

  2. The morning dew will moisten the grass naturally.

  3. Avoid overwatering—just moisten the top layer of the cake.

  4. His eyes moistened as he listened to the emotional speech.

  5. The humid air moistened our skin during the hike.