moisten

verb

moist·​en ˈmȯi-sᵊn How to pronounce moisten (audio)
moistened; moistening ˈmȯis-niŋ How to pronounce moisten (audio)
ˈmȯi-sᵊn-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to become moist
moistener
ˈmȯis-nər How to pronounce moisten (audio)
ˈmȯi-sᵊn-ər
noun

Examples of moisten in a Sentence

Corn syrup can be used to moisten and flavor baked foods. The chemical reaction begins as soon as the powder is moistened.
Recent Examples on the Web Abu Issa dips an applicator moistened with olive oil into the pot to gather the pigment, then smoothly drags it along her lash lines, darkening her eyes. Zahra Hankir, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 Stir just until moistened (the batter should be slightly lumpy). Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2024 El Niño moves heat around in the ocean and then into the atmosphere, mostly as evaporation, which cools the ocean and moistens the atmosphere, Trenberth said. USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024 Stir together eggs and buttermilk; add to dry mixture, stirring just until moistened. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 12 Nov. 2023 After setting them aside to cool, the nuts and other ingredients should be placed in a sauté pan and mixed with a fork until the sugar is moistened, the recipe states. Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 16 Dec. 2023 With its composition of approximately 60 percent water and 40 percent ethanol, the full volume of liquid will work to moisten the dough, but only the water is active in gluten development. Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023 Advertisement The storms will moisten vegetation countywide, reducing the chances that wildfires will break early next week when weak Santa Ana winds arrive, the weather service said. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Nov. 2023 Stuffing and dressing usually have the same components—bread, aromatics, butter, and broth to moisten the mix. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'moisten.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of moisten was in 1559

Dictionary Entries Near moisten

Cite this Entry

“Moisten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moisten. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

moisten

verb
moist·​en ˈmȯis-ᵊn How to pronounce moisten (audio)
moistened; moistening ˈmȯis-niŋ How to pronounce moisten (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become moist
moistener
ˈmȯis-nər How to pronounce moisten (audio)
-ᵊn-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on moisten

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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