humidity
Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air. It is a key meteorological measurement that influences weather patterns and how hot or cold the temperature feels to the human body.
Examples
3 of 5The high humidity in the basement caused mold to grow on the walls.
The large amount of moisture in the air in the lower floor led to fungal growth.
Maintaining a constant level of humidity is crucial for the preservation of delicate museum exhibits.
Keeping a steady amount of air moisture is essential for protecting sensitive historical items.
I can't stand this humidity; it feels like I'm walking through soup.
I dislike this heavy, moist air; it feels very thick and uncomfortable.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'humid' in 'humidifier.' A humidifier is a machine that adds humidity to a dry room to help you breathe better.
Quick Quiz
The ______ was so high that my clothes felt damp as soon as I walked outside.
Correct!
The correct answer is: humidity
Examples
The high humidity in the basement caused mold to grow on the walls.
everydayThe large amount of moisture in the air in the lower floor led to fungal growth.
Maintaining a constant level of humidity is crucial for the preservation of delicate museum exhibits.
formalKeeping a steady amount of air moisture is essential for protecting sensitive historical items.
I can't stand this humidity; it feels like I'm walking through soup.
informalI dislike this heavy, moist air; it feels very thick and uncomfortable.
Specific humidity is defined as the mass of water vapor per unit mass of moist air.
academicTechnical air moisture is measured by the weight of water vapor compared to the weight of the air.
The data center requires precise humidity control to prevent static electricity and hardware failure.
businessThe server facility needs exact moisture management to avoid electrical issues and equipment breakdown.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
break the humidity
when a storm or rain arrives to end a period of hot, damp weather
humidity index
a scale that combines air temperature and relative humidity to determine heat index
stifling humidity
moisture in the air that is so heavy it makes breathing feel difficult
Often Confused With
Moisture is a general term for liquid in any form or location, whereas humidity specifically refers to water vapor in the gas phase within the air.
Humidness is a synonym but is far less common in scientific or everyday usage than humidity.
Usage Notes
Humidity is an uncountable noun and is typically used with adjectives like high, low, extreme, or relative. In daily conversation, people often mention humidity when complaining about how uncomfortable hot weather feels.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the noun 'humidity' when they should use the adjective 'humid' (e.g., saying 'It is very humidity today' instead of 'It is very humid today').
Memory Tip
Think of the 'humid' in 'humidifier.' A humidifier is a machine that adds humidity to a dry room to help you breathe better.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'humiditas', from 'humidus' meaning 'moist' or 'wet'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia or the Southern United States, humidity is a major cultural talking point regarding physical comfort and hair care.
Quick Quiz
The ______ was so high that my clothes felt damp as soon as I walked outside.
Correct!
The correct answer is: humidity
Related Vocabulary
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