drought

1 of 2

noun

ˈdrau̇t 

variants or less commonly drouth

ˈdrau̇th 

1

: a period of dryness especially when prolonged

specifically : one that causes extensive damage to crops or prevents their successful growth

resistant to drought

2

: a prolonged or chronic shortage or lack of something expected or desired

a drought of creativity

droughtiness

ˈdrau̇-tē-nəs 

noun

droughty

ˈdrau̇-tē

adjective

droughty

2 of 2

adjective

variants or drouthy

|ē, 

|i

-er/-est

1

: dry, arid : lacking moisture

the droughty desert

—A. D. Carruthers

2

: of, relating to, or afflicted by a prolonged drought

we look into a droughty sky

—I. R. Tannehill

over most of the area droughty conditions still prevail

3

: thirsty

Synonyms of drought

Noun

• shortage
• lack

Examples of drought in a Sentence

Noun

The drought caused serious damage to crops.

a period of drought that lasted several years

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The decision comes on the heels of a trade deadline in which Pittsburgh, seeking to end a decade-long playoff drought, fortified its leaky bullpen with a series of moves, including acquiring prominent reliever Luke Weaver from the New York Mets. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

But with a drought across southeast Europe now more than three months in, these are not normal days. — Ramy Inocencio, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

Crepe myrtles need about an inch of water per week and supplemental water is especially important during periods of intense drought. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026

After breaking a 37-year Triple Crown drought, American Pharoah went on to win the Haskell and Breeders’ Cup Classic, as well as take second at the Travers. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English drūgath, from drūgian to dry up; akin to Old English drȳge dry — more at dry

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for drought

• bout
• clout
• doubt
• flout
• gout
• grout
• kraut
• lout
• out
• pout
• rout
• scout

Kids Definition

drought

noun

variants also drouth

ˈdrau̇t 

ˈdrau̇th

: a long period of dry weather

droughty

-ē

adjective