dry
/draɪ/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Containing little or no water or liquid. Something dry is not wet. It can also describe weather, soil, clothes, or skin.
- The towels are dry now.
- We need dry weather for the picnic.
- My hands feel dry in winter.
verb
To remove water or liquid from something, or to become dry.
- Please dry the dishes.
- Her hair dried quickly.
- The clothes are drying in the sun.
noun
Dry weather or a dry period. In some contexts, it can also mean a place or thing that is dry.
- We had a long dry this summer.
- The dry lasted for weeks.
- Farmers worry about the dry.
Adinary Nuance
Dry is the plain, everyday word for “not wet.” Use arid for very dry land or climate, especially in formal writing. Use dehydrated when something has lost water and that loss matters, such as food or skin. Use dry when you want the simplest and most natural choice.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- khô
- Spanish
- seco
- Chinese
- 干的
- Japanese
- 乾いた
- Korean
- 마른
Etymology
Dry comes from Old English drȳge, from a Germanic root meaning 'without moisture.' It has been used in English since before the 12th century.
Common phrases
dry weatherdry skindry clothesdry the dishes
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'dry' formal or informal?
- It is very common in both speech and writing. It is neutral, simple, and safe in most situations.
- What is the difference between 'dry' and 'arid'?
- Dry is the everyday word. Arid is more formal and usually describes land, climate, or writing styles.
- Can 'dry' be a verb?
- Yes. You can say 'dry the dishes' or 'the clothes are drying.'
- Does 'dry' only mean 'not wet'?
- No. It can also mean without water, with no moisture, or a period with little rain.