clammy

USAGE SUMMARY

'Clammy' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a tactile sensation that is moist, cold and sticky, usually in a negative context. For example: The clammy air in the cave was oppressive and oppressive.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But all this effort took it out of him; he ended his half hour clammy and pale, like he'd been possessed by a ghoul that had forced him to do star jumps in a sauna.

The Guardian

Both she and her nemesis returned in three sequels of markedly contrasting flavours: James Cameron's wham-bam Aliens (1986), David Fincher's clammy, intense Alien³ (1992) and Jean-Pierre Jeunet's comic-book-style Alien Resurrection (1997).

The Guardian - Film

Fourth Estate; £12.99 A down-to-earth yet sophisticated exposé of how an entire country can be munched in the clammy claws of corruption and tribalism to ensure that those in power win the fattest share of the cake.The Accidental Guerrilla: Fighting Small Wars in the Midst of a Big One.

The Economist

The survival of unpopular figures, such as an information minister who has kept a clammy grip on broadcasting for nearly two decades, adds to the picture of continuity.The mild but general disappointment with the scale of change also reflects impatience with the system itself.

The Economist

Partly, this was out of relief that SB had been saved from the clammy embrace of American Home Products (AHP), a plodding American firm currently facing lawsuits from customers who claim to have been injured by its slimming pill, Redux.

The Economist

Clinics across Africa witness the same tragedy: a limp child, clammy and cold to the touch, with a fast, weak pulse, is carried in by a distraught parent.

The Economist

With each visitor who descends to their inner chambers exhaling some 20 grams of clammy water vapour, cracks have begun to appear.

The Economist

I ditch all pretence of following the Japanese custom of fitting in with the group and head off to explore alone.Despite the day being somewhat clammy and overcast, the cicadas are creating an absolute racket.

The Economist

Mr Hollinghurst crafts a credible but somehow awful poem for Cecil, echoing Rupert Brooke's clammy portentousness.

The Economist

The doll, which has a creamy complexion that is clammy to the touch, was shipped from Japan with an engagement ring and vaginal lubricant.

The Economist

Europeans head for the beach to escape clammy city centres.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clammy" to vividly describe a surface or sensation that is unpleasantly cold and moist, often associated with illness, fear, or decay. It adds a tactile dimension to your writing.

Common error

While "clammy" is a descriptive word, overuse can make your writing repetitive. Consider synonyms like "damp", "moist", or "cold and damp" to vary your descriptions and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The word "clammy" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe their texture or condition. As stated by Ludwig AI, it signifies something cold, damp, and often unpleasant. Examples include "clammy hands" and "clammy skin."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "clammy" is an adjective used to describe something that is unpleasantly cold and damp. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful term in English writing, particularly for evoking specific sensory experiences. It is "Very common" and widely used in news and media, as well as encyclopedias and other contexts. While grammatically straightforward, overuse should be avoided by considering synonyms such as "damp" or "moist". The related phrases provide alternative ways to express similar ideas, offering a richer vocabulary for descriptive writing. Using "clammy" effectively can add depth and sensory detail, particularly when describing negative or unsettling situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cold and damp

A more explicit combination of the two primary sensations conveyed by "clammy".

wet and cold

Reverses the order but conveys the same core sensations as "clammy".

unpleasantly moist

Emphasizes the disagreeable nature of the moisture, similar in tone to "clammy".

damp

Focuses primarily on the moisture aspect, lacking the cold or unpleasant connotation of "clammy".

moist

Similar to "damp", emphasizing moisture but less negative than "clammy".

sweaty

Implies moisture due to perspiration, suggesting warmth rather than coldness associated with "clammy".

sticky

Highlights the adhesive quality of the surface, differing from the moisture emphasis of "clammy".

slimy

Indicates a slippery, often repulsive, wetness, stronger than "clammy".

muggy

Refers to humid air, rather than a surface, but shares the unpleasant moist connotation.

dewy

Indicates moisture, but usually in a positive, fresh way, unlike the unpleasantness of "clammy".

FAQs

How to use "clammy" in a sentence?

You can use "clammy" to describe something that is unpleasantly damp and cold. For example, "His hands were "clammy" with fear" or "The cave had a "clammy" atmosphere".

What can I say instead of "clammy"?

You can use alternatives like "damp", "moist", or "cold and damp" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "clammy hand" or "clammy hands"?

Both "clammy hand" and "clammy hands" are correct, depending on whether you're referring to one hand or multiple hands. The plural form "clammy hands" is more frequently used.

What's the difference between "clammy" and "slimy"?

"Clammy" describes something that is cold and damp, while "slimy" describes something that is wet and slippery. "Slimy" often implies a more repulsive or unpleasant texture.