moistenmoist‧en /ˈmɔɪsən/ verb [transitive] 
Moisten the clay if it seems too dry. She moistened her lips (=made her lips wet with her tongue).
VERB TABLE
moisten
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | moisten |
| he, she, it | moistens | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | moistened |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have moistened |
| he, she, it | has moistened | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had moistened |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will moisten |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have moistened |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am moistening |
| he, she, it | is moistening | |
| you, we, they | are moistening | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was moistening |
| you, we, they | were moistening | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been moistening |
| he, she, it | has been moistening | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been moistening |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be moistening |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been moistening |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Add just enough water to moisten the cake mixture without making it too watery.
- Tom paused and moistened his lips.
- When the clay becomes dry, moisten it lightly before you continue to shape it.
- I pulled it off gently, so as not to wake him, moistened a handkerchief with cologne and wiped his forehead.
- I would calm my rage, moisten my dry lips, force his return if only by the strength of my desire.
- If you find your throat is dry and you need some water just take a few sips to moisten your mouth.
- Mound the moistened couscous on a serving platter and form a large well in the center.
- She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue and his sudden tension told her she was right.
- She put the end in her mouth and moistened it to a point.
- Tom picked up a brush and moistened it in the turpentine cup.
- You may have to add an additional tablespoon of water to moisten the dough.
THESAURUS
to put water or another liquid onto something to make it wet. In spoken English, people will often use get something wet rather than wet: · He wet the washcloth and washed Tom’s face.
to make someone or something wet by making a lot of small drops of water fall onto them: · The kids were playing around in the pool, splashing each other.· I accidentally splashed soup onto my shirt.
to put something in water for a long time or to make something very wet – use this especially when something is put into water or the water comes up from underneath to make it wet: · Soak the beans overnight before cooking.· The rain had come in through the bottom of our tent and completely soaked our clothes.
to make someone or something extremely wet with a large amount of water – use this especially when water is poured or falls on something: · He drenched us all with the hose.· Her shirt was drenched in sweat.
formal to completely cover or fill something with liquid, so that it is wet all the way through: · Heavy rains had saturated the ground.
to cover an area of land with a large amount of water: · Farmers flood the fields in order to grow rice.
to make something slightly wet by putting a small amount of water or another liquid on it, especially to stop it from getting too dry: · Add just enough water to moisten the cake mixture.· Tom paused and moistened his lips.
to make something slightly wet by putting a little water on it: · Rain came in through the window, dampening the curtains.
Longman Language Activatorto make something slightly wet to make something slightly wet by putting a little water on it: · Dampen the soil a little before you put the seeds in.· She dampened a cloth and held it to his forehead.· If you dampen your piece of paper before you start painting it will be easier to paint evenly.
to make something slightly wet by putting a small amount of water or another liquid on it, especially to stop it from getting too dry: · Add just enough water to moisten the cake mixture without making it too watery.· Tom paused and moistened his lips.· When the clay becomes dry, moisten it lightly before you continue to shape it.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY She moistened her lips (=made her lips wet with her tongue).COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
to make something slightly wet: She moistened her lips (=made her lips wet with her tongue).· She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue and his sudden tension told her she was right.· I would calm my rage, moisten my dry lips, force his return if only by the strength of my desire.· She moistened her lips, feeling the raised and tender flesh where her teeth had bitten through.· If he or she has difficulty in speaking, moistening the tongue and lips can be helpful.· She didn't feel him bathe her forehead or moisten her lips from time to time.· Swallowing, she moistened her lips.· His mouth closed to moisten suddenly dry lips.
Moisten the clay if it seems too dry. She moistened her lips (=made her lips wet with her tongue).