What does humidifier mean?
A humidifier is a device that adds moisture to the air, most often in a home, office, or other indoor space. People use one when heating or air conditioning has made the environment excessively dry and has contributed to discomfort, dry skin, irritated throats, or static electricity. Humidifiers may use cool mist, warm mist, ultrasonic vibration, or steam to disperse water into the surrounding air. The word is straightforward and widely understood in British and American English. Although a humidifier can improve comfort in cold or dry conditions, excessive humidity may create condensation, encourage mold, and aggravate dust mites, so the device should be cleaned regularly and monitored appropriately. Unlike a dehumidifier, which reduces airborne moisture, a humidifier increases it.
nounA device that adds moisture to the air, especially in a room, to reduce dryness.
- A device that adds moisture to the air in an enclosed space, usually a room or building.
"She placed a small humidifier beside the bed during the winter."
"The bedroom humidifier helped ease her irritated throat."
"The museum uses humidifiers to protect delicate wooden instruments from changes in moisture."
The plural refers to multiple devices of this kind.
"Several humidifiers were installed throughout the building."
A humidifier can make dry winter air more comfortable, but too much moisture can encourage mold and dust mites.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does humidifier come from?
The word is formed in English by combining humid with the suffix -ifier, meaning “something that makes” or “a device that produces” a particular quality. The adjective humid comes through French from Latin humidus, meaning “damp” or “moist,” and is related to the same root found in humidity and humidify. The resulting term became established for a device used to maintain moisture in indoor air.
Related word forms
How humidifier is actually used
The term is used for devices that increase the moisture content of indoor air. It should not be confused with a vaporizer, which may produce a visible or inhalable mist for a different purpose.
Easily confused with humidifier
A humidifier adds moisture to the air, whereas a dehumidifier removes moisture from it.
A humidifier moistens air directly, while a vaporizer typically creates a fine spray from a liquid.