An atmosphere or texture that isn't dry but not exactly wet either is moist.
The word "moist" is often used when talking about food - whether it's describing a juicy piece of meat or a ripe, succulent fruit. You might say, for instance, that your aunt's famous turkey at the family gathering was perfectly moist, which means it didn't dry out in the oven. The same goes for baked goods like cakes and cookies; a moist texture is usually preferred over one that's too crumbly or stale. In addition to food, people sometimes use "moist" when talking about skin - particularly after using certain beauty products designed to add moisture.
How common is "moist"?
Word moist is considered uncommon in modern English. It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
adjective
Characterized by the presence of moisture; not dry; slightly wet; damp.
Of eyes: wet with tears; tearful; also (obsolete), watery due to some illness or to old age.
Of a climate, the weather, etc.: damp, humid, rainy.
(informal) Of the vagina: sexually lubricated due to sexual arousal; of a woman: sexually aroused, turned on.
Characterized by the presence of some fluid such as mucus, pus, etc.
Of sounds of internal organs (especially as heard through a stethoscope): characterized by the sound of air bubbling through a fluid.
(sciences, historical) Pertaining to one of the four essential qualities formerly believed to be present in all things, characterized by wetness; also, having a significant amount of this quality.
Fluid, liquid, watery.
Bringing moisture or rain.
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