Definition

The condition of being damp, musty, and often unpleasantly wet.

Example

The dankness of the basement made it a perfect breeding ground for mold.

Conversation

Have you noticed the dankness in the basement?

Yeah, it's been pretty humid down there lately.

I think we should get a dehumidifier to reduce that dankness.

Good idea! It'll make the space a lot more comfortable.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Dankness is formed from "dank" (from Middle English "dank", meaning moist or damp) and the suffix "-ness" (meaning the state or quality of). The word "dankness" refers to the state of being damp or moist, often in an unpleasant way.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'dank' which means moist or damp, and remember that 'dankness' describes the quality of being damp.

Visually Confused Words