dampen

IPA/ˈdæmpən/
KK[dˈæmpən]IPA/ˈdæmpən/

dampen — verb

  • dampenpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • dampenshe / she / it
  • dampenedpast simple
  • dampening-ing form

1. to cause a surface or material to become slightly moist by applying a small amou

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to cause a surface or material to become slightly moist by applying a small amount of liquid, or to become moist in this way

例句

Ritu dampened a clean cloth with warm water and gently cleaned the baby's face.

dampen + cloth + with + liquid

Before ironing the silk shirt, Nadia dampened it slightly with a spray bottle.

同義詞
  • moisten

    slightly more formal; used especially in cooking or fabric contexts

  • wet

    broader and less precise; can mean anything from damp to soaking

  • damp

    less common as a verb; more often used as an adjective

反義詞
  • dry

    to remove all moisture from something

文法句型

dampen + noun (the thing made wet)

dampen + noun + with + noun (the liquid used)

用法筆記

Implies a light, controlled amount of moisture — not soaking or saturating. The liquid is almost always water unless stated otherwise.

2. to make a feeling such as excitement, hope, enjoyment, or confidence less strong

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to make a feeling such as excitement, hope, enjoyment, or confidence less strong, or to reduce the positive energy of a situation

例句

The sudden cancellation of the festival dampened everyone's enthusiasm for the weekend.

dampen + enthusiasm / excitement / spirits

Henrik tried not to let his boss's harsh comments dampen his determination to succeed.

同義詞
  • diminish

    broader; can apply to physical quantities or abstract qualities

  • dull

    suggests making a feeling less sharp or intense over time

  • subdue

    stronger; implies actively bringing something under control

  • suppress

    stronger still; suggests preventing something from being expressed at all

反義詞
  • boost

    to increase something in a positive way

  • heighten

    to make a feeling more intense

  • enhance

    to improve or increase the quality of something

文法句型

dampen + abstract noun (emotion or feeling)

dampen + noun phrase + 's + noun

用法筆記

The object is always an abstract emotion or attitude (spirits, mood, enthusiasm, confidence, excitement), never a person. 'The news dampened me' is incorrect.

常見錯誤

❌The bad news dampened him.
✅The bad news dampened his spirits.
💡The object must be a feeling, not a person.
❌The rain dampened the party.
✅The rain dampened the mood at the party.
💡The object should be an emotion, not the event itself.