moisture-wicking
Designed to draw sweat away from the body to the exterior of the fabric where it can evaporate quickly.
Specifically describes fabrics that use capillary action to manage sweat, keeping the wearer dry during intense physical exertion.
Word relationships
- sweat-wicking: Sweat-wicking is a more casual, everyday synonym, whereas moisture-wicking is the standard industry and technical term.
- absorbent: Absorbent fabrics, like cotton, soak up and retain moisture within their fibers instead of moving it to the outer surface.
Commonly confused with
- waterproof: Waterproof fabrics prevent external water from penetrating inward, while moisture-wicking fabrics move internal sweat outward.
Word family
- wick (verb): To draw off liquid by capillary action.
- wicking (noun): The process of drawing moisture away from a surface.
Collocations
- moisture-wicking fabric
- moisture-wicking technology
- moisture-wicking shirt
- moisture-wicking properties
Example sentences
- "This running shirt features moisture-wicking technology that keeps athletes dry and comfortable even during long summer marathons." A product description for high-performance running apparel.
Memory hook
Picture a candle wick pulling liquid wax upward; a moisture-wicking shirt pulls your sweat upward and away from your skin in the exact same way. Wicks sweat away like a candle wick draws wax.
When not to use
Do not use to describe fabrics like cotton that absorb and hold moisture rather than moving it to the surface.
Fun facts
- Moisture-wicking fabrics are often treated with hydrophobic (water-repelling) coatings on the inside and hydrophilic (water-attracting) coatings on the outside to force sweat outward.
Related words
Explore more words
breathable, absorbent, Moisturize, wring, Layering, humidity
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