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to wet

to wet

26 1.0
To make something wet by covering it with liquid
  • verb
  • /wɛt/
translation icon : mojar
  • Before painting the wall, remember to wet the brush with water.

I'm also going to wet this one that is so pretty.

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Examples

  • At times he would pause, wet his finger with saliva, and check the direction of the wind.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • So I just wet my Real Techniques sponge.

  • I find that I have to re wet them so I will.

  • I just wet your car.

  • So all we have to really do is wet both surfaces.

  • And then I will need to wet my hair again, but this time I'm prepared.

  • OK, now we're going to gently wet this to activate the cleansers.

  • Snow is rare, but it's effective in wetting the soil because less evaporation occurs in the cold months.

    Academic text (2004)
  • "We put wood, pallets, and brush through the grinder and then wet it down," he says.

    Academic text (1996)
  • I wet my hands before washing the dishes.

Synonyms

to soak
vsto wet
141 1.0

Make something very wet by putting it into water or other liquid

is the general action of applying liquid to an object
to drench
vsto wet
34 3.0

Make someone or something completely wet with a lot of liquid

is the general action of covering something with liquid
to drown
vsto wet
31 1.0

Cover completely with liquid, for example food in sauce

is the general act of covering with liquid not implying destruction
to douse
vsto wet
18 4.4

To pour liquid over a person or thing to make them wet

is the broader action of covering something using liquid
to moisturize
vsto wet
  • US
11 3.4

To put cream, oil, or water on skin to stop it getting dry

is the basic action of applying liquid without special care intent
to immerse
vsto wet
9 4.2

Put something completely into a liquid to cover it

is the general action of covering something with liquid rather than complete dipping
to moisten
vsto wet
7 3.0

To make something a little wet

is the broader term for applying liquid in any amount
to soak through
vsto wet
6 3.1

To become completely wet all the way through

is about covering a surface rather than filling the interior
to dampen
vsto wet
4 3.4

Make something slightly wet

is the general action of applying liquid in variable amounts
to submerse
vsto wet
1 7.3

To put something under the surface of water

is the broader action of covering something with liquid, not only full immersion
to dowse
vsto wet
7.8

To pour water over something so it becomes completely wet

is the basic action of applying liquid to something
to sog
vsto wet
7.7

To make something very wet by putting liquid on it

is the general idea of applying liquid without adding heaviness

Antonyms

570 1.0

To become free of water or wetness

Idioms

all wet
  • Archaic
11 9.3

Completely wrong about an idea or plan

5 8.3

Not very experienced or confident yet

3 4.9

Start doing something to gain some experience

as a wet hen
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Very unhappy and angry about something

mad as a wet hen
  • Informal
1 9.8

Very angry or upset

Feeling very angry and upset

Very sad and upset, often after something bad happens

To be very tired and weak after hard effort

To be extremely tired and worn after hard work or rough treatment

To drink alcohol as part of a St Patrick's Day celebration

6.3

To have a quick drink to feel less thirsty

9.4

Feeling very angry and upset

Phrasal Verbs

56 1.0

To become covered in water or another liquid

To pee in bed while sleeping by accident, often in children

To accidentally pee in your clothes from fear, laughter, or embarrassment

Compounds

wet bar
  • US
7 4.5

A small counter with a sink for mixing and serving drinks

wet blanket
  • Offensive
7 5.6

A person who makes other people lose interest or excitement

6 3.3

A tight suit made of thick rubber material worn in cold water to keep you warm

3 6.8

A woman who feeds another person's baby with her milk and cares for the baby

3 1.3

A small soft disposable cloth made slightly wet to clean skin or surfaces

wet dream
  • Offensive
2 8.1

A sexual dream during sleep that makes a boy or man release semen

wet work
  • Offensive
2 9.9

Secret killings and violent acts that governments or criminals carry out

wet dream
  • Slang
1 8.8

An unrealistic hope that is not likely to happen

1 4.1

A wet nose on an animal, often a dog, that feels cool and damp

wet job
  • NSFW
1 9.9

An illegal secret job to kill or hurt someone for an organization

wet cell
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A battery that uses liquid to produce electricity

A small package of wet cloths that you use once to clean hands or surfaces

wet firecracker
  • Offensive
7.9

A person or thing that should be exciting but is disappointing

wet fly
  • Specialized
7.4

An artificial bait that sinks and moves below the water to attract fish

wet lung
  • Specialized
8.8

A serious lung illness in which fluid and swelling make breathing hard, often after breathing in chemical fumes

wet rag
  • Offensive
8.5

A person who is dull and has little energy or interest

wet-bulb thermometer
  • Specialized
7.2

A small tool with a bulb covered in a wet cloth used to measure humidity

wet-nurse
  • Archaic
9.2

A woman who feeds another person's baby with her own milk

How Wet

to drench
34 3.0
to soak
141 1.0
to wet
26 1.0
to moisten
7 3.0

Surface Forms

wet infinitive
wet past
wet past participle
wetting present participle
wets third person singular

Etymology

Wet as a verb comes from the adjective wet and the Old English wæt, and it means 'to make moist' or 'to cover with liquid'. So to wet something is simply to put water or another liquid on it.