xeric
/ˈzɪə.rɪk/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Xeric means very dry, with little water or moisture. It is often used in science, geography, and ecology.
- The region has xeric soil.
- Many xeric plants store water.
- The desert is a xeric environment.
Adinary Nuance
Xeric is more technical than dry, arid, or parched. Writers use it in science, geography, and ecology when they want a precise word for a very dry place or condition. It sounds more formal and expert than everyday words like dry.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- khô hạn
- Spanish
- árido
- Chinese
- 干旱的
- Japanese
- 乾燥した
- Korean
- 건조한
Etymology
Xeric comes from Greek xēros, meaning “dry.” It entered English in scientific use in the 19th century.
Common phrases
xeric habitatxeric soilxeric climatexeric conditions
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is xeric a common everyday word?
- No. It is mostly used in science, geography, and academic writing.
- What is the difference between xeric and arid?
- Both mean very dry, but xeric sounds more technical and scientific.
- Can I use xeric to describe weather?
- Yes, but it sounds formal. Dry or arid is more natural in daily speech.