dampenEnglish → FrenchOxford English–Frenchdampen /BrE ˈdamp(ə)n , AmE ˈdæmpən / transitive verb 1 humecter [cloth, sponge, ironing] 2 figurative refroidir [enthusiasm, optimism, ardour]; amenuiser [hopes, resolve] to dampen sb's spirits décourager qn