wetting

Everyday

1. Wetting means making something wet with water or another liquid. tree →
2. Wetting (the bed) means passing urine (wee) by accident while asleep; it is common in younger children and nothing to be ashamed of. tree →

In the lessons

In science, wetting a sponge, cloth or paper shows absorbency; paper towels and sponges are tested for how much water they soak up. In art, wetting paper before watercolour painting. In everyday life, wetting hair before shampooing, wetting a cloth to clean a cut. Bedwetting is a health topic that doctors and parents help with kindly. Phrases: wetting your hair, wetting the paper, bedwetting.

Examples

• Start by wetting your hair, then add shampoo. tree →
• Wetting the paper first makes the paint spread. tree →
• Wetting the soil helps the seeds start to grow. tree →
• We tested which towel soaked up the most water by wetting each one. tree →
• Wetting the bed sometimes happens to many children, and it is not their fault. tree →
• The rain kept wetting the washing on the line. tree →
• Or is he afraid of wetting his fine golden-stringed sandals? tree →

Note

Double t before -ing: wetting. Past: «wet» or «wetted» (both used). Do not confuse with «whetting» (sharpening, or «whetting your appetite» = making you hungrier) — they sound the same. Being kind about bedwetting matters; teasing hurts.