humide

Humide is a French adjective that describes the presence of moisture in air, on surfaces, or in substances. It is used to characterize environments, fabrics, soil, or objects that feel damp rather than dry. The opposite of humide is sec, meaning dry. In French, humide can carry nuances from mildly damp to very moist, and it is common in phrases such as une pièce humide (a damp room) or des conditions humides (humid conditions). The term is typically less precise than scientific terms and is often replaced by humidity-related expressions when exact moisture content is discussed.

Humidité is the noun corresponding to humidity, defined as the amount of water vapor present in a given air mass. In meteorology and physics, humidity is quantified using several measures: relative humidity (% of moisture in air relative to saturation at a given temperature), dew point temperature, absolute humidity (mass of water per volume of air), and specific or mixing ratio. Instruments include the hygrometer (hygromètre in French) and the psychrometer. Normal indoor humidity ranges are commonly recommended around 30–60% relative humidity to balance comfort and health.

Practical effects: high humidity promotes mold growth and material degradation, while very low humidity can cause static electricity and respiratory irritation. Humidity is influenced by weather, ventilation, indoor activities, and climate. In architecture and construction, managing humidity is important for energy efficiency, comfort, and durability of buildings and artifacts. Global climate change is expected to modify patterns of humidity and precipitation, affecting ecosystems and human activities.