B2 verb Neutral

humidity

/hjuːˈmɪd.ə.ti/

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 5
1

The 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.

2

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.

3

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.

Word Family

Noun
humidity
Verb
humidify
Adverb
humidly
Adjective
humid
Related
humidifier
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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

1

The high humidity in the basement caused mold to grow on the walls.

everyday

The large amount of moisture in the air in the lower floor led to fungal growth.

2

Maintaining a constant level of humidity is crucial for the preservation of delicate museum exhibits.

formal

Keeping a steady amount of air moisture is essential for protecting sensitive historical items.

3

I can't stand this humidity; it feels like I'm walking through soup.

informal

I dislike this heavy, moist air; it feels very thick and uncomfortable.

4

Specific humidity is defined as the mass of water vapor per unit mass of moist air.

academic

Technical air moisture is measured by the weight of water vapor compared to the weight of the air.

5

The data center requires precise humidity control to prevent static electricity and hardware failure.

business

The server facility needs exact moisture management to avoid electrical issues and equipment breakdown.

Word Family

Noun
humidity
Verb
humidify
Adverb
humidly
Adjective
humid
Related
humidifier

Common Collocations

relative humidity the percentage of moisture in the air relative to its capacity
high humidity a large amount of water vapor in the air
humidity level the specific measurement of moisture in the atmosphere
control humidity to regulate or manage the amount of moisture in a space
tropical humidity the intense air moisture typically found in equatorial regions

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

humidity vs moisture

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.

humidity vs humidness

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

Uncountable noun Often used as the subject of the verb 'to be' or as the object of 'to measure' or 'to control' Usually takes no plural form
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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 Words

boned

B2

Primarily used as an adjective, 'boned' describes something that has a specific type of skeletal structure or a piece of meat from which the bones have been removed. In the context of garments, it refers to items reinforced with stiff strips, such as a corset, to maintain a specific shape.

boneyard

B2

A boneyard is a place where old, discarded, or obsolete items—typically large machinery like aircraft or vehicles—are stored or dismantled for parts. It is also an informal or regional term for a cemetery or burial ground.

bonfire

B2

A large, controlled outdoor fire lit for celebration, signaling, or to dispose of garden waste. It is typically much larger than a standard campfire and is often the centerpiece of a social or cultural event.

bongo

B2

To play the bongo drums or to strike a surface rhythmically and repeatedly with the fingers or palms. In academic or technical contexts, it often refers to the specific percussive action used in ethnomusicology or the observation of rhythmic motor patterns in behavioral studies.

bonito

B2

A bonito is a medium-sized, predatory marine fish belonging to the Scombridae family, which also includes tuna and mackerel. In culinary contexts, it is most famous for being dried, fermented, and smoked to create flakes used in Japanese stocks and seasonings.

bonkers

B2

An informal adjective used to describe someone or something that is crazy, insane, or highly eccentric. It can refer to a person's mental state, a chaotic situation, or an idea that seems completely absurd or wild.

bonny

B2

An adjective primarily used in British and Scottish English to describe someone, especially a woman or child, who is physically attractive, healthy, and cheerful. It conveys a sense of natural beauty combined with a robust or wholesome appearance.

bonsai

B2

Relating to the Japanese art of growing miniature trees in containers through careful pruning and wiring. When used as an adjective, it describes plants or objects that have been miniaturized or styled according to these aesthetic principles.

bony

B2

Describes someone or a part of the body that is very thin, allowing the underlying bone structure to be seen or felt. It also refers to anything made of or resembling bone, particularly in biological or anatomical contexts.

boo

B2

In informal contexts, 'boo' can be used as an adjective to describe something that is disappointing, poor in quality, or undesirable. It is more commonly recognized as a sound of disapproval or a slang term of endearment, but its use as a descriptor for 'bad' is found in specific colloquial dialects.

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