Humidity
hyoo-MID-i-tee
/hjuːˈmɪdəti/
The amount of water vapor in the air.
Often used colloquially to describe a feeling of dampness or stickiness in the air.
The story behind the word. The word 'humidity' traces its roots back to the Latin word 'humidus', meaning 'moist' or 'damp'. This descriptive term for wetness or moisture in the air has been part of English since the 15th century, directly reflecting the sensation of water vapor in the atmosphere.
Word relationships
- dampness: More general, can refer to moisture in objects or surfaces, not just air.
- moisture: Broadest term for water in any form, not specific to air.
- dryness: Lack of moisture or humidity.
Word family
- humid (adjective): Containing a high amount of water vapor; damp.
- humidifier (noun): A device that adds moisture to the air.
Collocations
- high humidity
- low humidity
- relative humidity
- absolute humidity
- tropical humidity
Example sentences
- "Despite the high temperature, the low humidity made the summer day feel surprisingly comfortable." A summer weather report.
- "High humidity can lead to mold growth and discomfort, so many homes use dehumidifiers." Discussing climate control.
Memory hook
Think of 'HUMID' as 'HUMAN's need for water, making the air feel 'DAMP'. Human needs damp air
When not to use
While related, 'humidity' is not the same as 'wetness'. Something can be wet without the air being humid.
Fun facts
- Relative humidity is the ratio of the current absolute humidity to the highest possible absolute humidity for a given temperature.
- The human body cools itself through the evaporation of sweat, a process that becomes less efficient in high humidity.
Related words
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