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wet down

B2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To put water on something to make it wet, usually for a specific reason.

Literal meaning: To apply water from above so it moves downward and saturates something.

Meanings

1 B2 neutral

To apply water to a surface or area to make it thoroughly wet, often for safety or practical reasons.

"Firefighters wet down the surrounding buildings to prevent the blaze from spreading."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 neutral

To dampen hair, a cloth, or another material before using or styling it.

"He wet down his hair before combing it into place."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Often used in practical or safety contexts, such as wetting down surfaces to reduce dust, prevent fire spread, or prepare for a task. Common in construction, firefighting, and agriculture.

Commonly used with

surface roof ground hay tarpaulin road

Forms

Base
wet down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
wets down
he/she/it
Past simple
weted down
yesterday
Past participle
weted down
have + pp
-ing form
weting down
continuous

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