Sodden

Sodden is an adjective meaning thoroughly wet or soaked, saturated with moisture; something described as sodden has absorbed a large amount of water and is no longer dry. It is commonly used to describe rain-soaked clothing, surfaces, soil, or landscapes after heavy rain, but can also apply to objects that have become waterlogged. The word conveys not only wetness but also a sense of heaviness and coldness.

Etymology: The term appears in Middle English and derives from Old English and other Germanic roots. The precise lineage is uncertain, but the core sense of extreme wetness has been stable for centuries. In modern English, sodden is less common in everyday speech than drenched or soaked, and it is more typical of descriptive or literary prose.

Usage: In contemporary writing, sodden emphasizes the state of being drenched through and through. It is most often used for weather, ground, clothing, or materials that have absorbed moisture to a noticeable degree. It can convey mood, such as dreariness or fatigue, when used in metaphorical contexts, though such uses are comparatively rare.

Examples: The field became sodden after days of rain. His sodden coat clung to him as he trudged home. The hillside was sodden, making every step difficult.

See also: drenched, soaked, waterlogged.