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dry out
verb
dried out; drying out; dries out
: to undergo an extended period of withdrawal from alcohol or drug use especially at a special clinic
Examples of dry out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The season can often start as early as April or May in some dry years, but experts say late spring storms and a still-strong snowpack have kept plants from drying out.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2024
Rather than being tucked beneath a sheath of plastic wrap and placed in a 0°C room, a fan had blown on the fish all night and dried out the skin.
—Caroline Hatchett, Robb Report, 10 May 2024
Since pots dry out quickly, a potted magnolia needs watering more frequently than one planted in the ground.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 7 May 2024
Water is the original source of hydrogen on Venus, so DR effectively dries out the planet.
—Eryn Cangi, The Conversation, 6 May 2024
Many schools in the Houston area are closed Monday as the city begins to dry out after getting walloped by torrential rains over the weekend.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 6 May 2024
Unlike some other dandruff or psoriasis shampoos that tend to really dry out your hair, this pick hydrates hair while stopping dandruff in its tracks.
—Daley Quinn, Verywell Health, 3 May 2024
Space your plants out to provide good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2024
To Enrich the Soil Ground covers offer a protective layer over the topsoil, preventing it from drying out too much during warmer temperatures and retaining moisture throughout the winter.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dry out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1892, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near dry out
Cite this Entry
“Dry out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dry%20out. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Medical Definition
dry-out
1 of 2 adjective
: providing detoxification treatment
checked into a dry-out clinic
dry out
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to subject to withdrawal from the use of alcohol or drugs : detoxify sense 2
: to undergo an extended period of withdrawal from alcohol or drug use especially at a special clinic : detoxify
More from Merriam-Webster on dry out
Britannica English: Translation of dry out for Arabic Speakers
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