What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
damp
Example
The towels were still damp after being left out overnight. [damp: adjective]
Example
I felt damp and sticky after the workout. [damp: adjective]
Example
The forest floor was damp from the recent rain. [damp: adjective]
dank
Example
The basement was dank and musty, with water seeping in from the walls. [dank: adjective]
Example
I felt a sense of dread in the dank and eerie cave. [dank: adjective]
Example
The old abandoned house had a dank and creepy atmosphere. [dank: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Damp is more commonly used than dank in everyday language. Damp is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dank is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between damp and dank?
Both damp and dank are relatively informal words, but damp can be used in more formal contexts due to its versatility.