What does soggy mean?
Soggy describes something that is wet, damp, or saturated with moisture, usually with an implication that the condition is unpleasant rather than pleasant. It is commonly used for clothing, shoes, weather, food, and ground that has been soaked by rain. The word can also suggest something dull, heavy, or lacking energy, as in “a soggy plot” or “a soggy atmosphere,” particularly in informal British English. In cricket, a soggy is a wet or otherwise difficult ball. Soggy is more evocative than simply damp because it often carries a sense of discomfort, clutter, or loss of freshness. It is therefore especially useful when describing weather or objects that have been thoroughly wet and are beginning to feel heavy and unwieldy.
Soaked or saturated with moisture, especially in a way that feels unpleasant.
"The kitchen was full of soggy towels after the storm."
Also used figuratively for something dull, heavy, or lacking appeal.
A wet or damaged ball in cricket that is difficult to handle and play with.
"The umpire declared the ball a soggy and offered a new one."
Chiefly used in cricket commentary and sports reporting.
Soggy is the perfect word for that moment when your shoes are wet, your socks are clammy, and the weather seems determined to make everything uncomfortable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does soggy come from?
Soggy developed from the chiefly dialectal verb sog, meaning to soak or become saturated, and the word is recorded in English by the early modern period. The verb belongs to the same broad family as soak, while sodden is a closely related form with a similarly strong association with being saturated. The modern adjective preserves the original sense of wetness while also extending figuratively to describe anything dull or lacking vitality.
Related word forms
How soggy is actually used
The descriptive use is common in British and American English. The figurative sense, meaning dull or unpleasant, is especially associated with informal British usage, though it is also understood elsewhere. As a cricket noun, it refers to a ball made wet by rain or damaged during play.
Easily confused with soggy
Soggy generally describes something damp or unpleasantly wet, whereas sodden more strongly suggests being soaked through.
Soggy refers to moisture, while sooty means covered in or darkened by soot.