dank

adjective

ˈdaŋk How to pronounce dank (audio)
Synonyms of danknext
: unpleasantly moist or wet
a dank basement
dankly adverb
dankness noun

Synonyms of dank

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wet, damp, dank, moist, humid mean covered or more or less soaked with liquid.

wet usually implies saturation but may suggest a covering of a surface with water or something (such as paint) not yet dry.

slipped on the wet pavement

damp implies a slight or moderate absorption and often connotes an unpleasant degree of moisture.

clothes will mildew if stored in a damp place

dank implies a more distinctly disagreeable or unwholesome dampness.

a prisoner in a cold, dank cell

moist applies to what is slightly damp or not felt as dry.

treat the injury with moist heat

humid applies to the presence of much water vapor in the air.

a hot, humid climate

Examples of dank in a Sentence

vegetables tended to go bad quickly in the dank cellar
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Winters here are dank and dark enough anyway. — Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025 Basements harbor even more humidity down below and can develop a dank smell from the growth of mold and mildew. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 10 June 2026 The setting is a dank New England mansion circa 1954. — Kirk Ellis, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026 Wearing a surgical mask to hold off the dank air, Reyes chose a bike and, before going to work on its components, performed the last rite for its former life. — Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for dank

Word History

Etymology

Middle English danke

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dank was in 1573

Rhymes for dank

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Browse Nearby Words

Danite
dank
Dankali
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Cite this Entry

“Dank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dank. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dank

adjective
ˈdaŋk How to pronounce dank (audio)
: unpleasantly moist or wet
dankly adverb
dankness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dank

Nglish: Translation of dank for Spanish Speakers

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