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wet

saturated with liquid / damp / to moisten / to become soaked

/wɛt/

AdjectiveTransitive VerbIntransitive Verb
past: wetpp: wetcomp: wettersup: wettest

The primary image is the presence of liquid on a surface that should typically be dry. It describes a physical state of saturation or coverage, ranging from a slight dampness to complete soaking. While usually neutral, it often carries a negative connotation when applied to things that are meant to stay dry (e.g., clothes, electronics, or floors), implying discomfort, mess, or danger. It differs from 'moist' or 'humid,' which suggest a subtle, sometimes desirable level of moisture. 'Wet' is more direct and often implies a more substantial volume of liquid.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Chloe is walking to class in a sudden rainstorm.
Chloe Smith

I'm absolutely soaked. My shoes are completely wet and I'm losing it.

Chloe Smith
Eleanor Smith
Eleanor Smith

OH DEAR. YOU SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE UMBRELLA I GAVE YOU.

💡
Chloe uses the phrase 'losing it' (slang for becoming emotionally overwhelmed/stressed) to express her frustration with the rain, while Eleanor's all-caps typing reflects her lack of technical proficiency.

Meanings

Adjective

Covered or saturated with water or another liquid.

"Be careful not to slip on the wet floor."

Transitive Verb

To make something wet; to dampen.

"Wet the cloth before wiping the surface."

Intransitive Verb

To become wet or soaked.

"The laundry will wet easily in this humidity."

Etymology

Derived from Old English "wet," from a Proto-Germanic root wata-, which is cognate with Old High German "naz" and Old Norse "vatn," tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root wed- meaning water.

Related Words

Last Updated: June 11, 2026Report an Error