dry
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1dry
adjective \ˈdrī\dri·er also dry·er \ˈdrī(-ə)r\ dri·est also dry·est \ˈdrī-əst\
Definition of DRY
1
a : free or relatively free from a liquid and especially water b : not being in or under water c : lacking precipitation or humidity
2
3
a : marked by the absence or scantiness of secretions <a dry cough> b : not shedding or accompanied by tears <a dry sob>
4
obsolete : involving no bloodshed or drowning <I would fain die a dry death — Shakespeare>
5
a : marked by the absence of alcoholic beverages <a dry party> b : prohibiting the manufacture or distribution of alcoholic beverages <a dry county>
6
: served or eaten without butter or margarine <dry toast>
7
a : lacking sweetness : sec <dry champagne> b : having all or most sugar fermented to alcohol <a dry wine> <dry beer>
8
a : solid as opposed to liquid <dry groceries> b : reduced to powder or flakes : dehydrated <dry milk>
9
: functioning without lubrication <a dry clutch>
10
of natural gas : containing no recoverable hydrocarbon (as gasoline)
11
: requiring no liquid in preparation or operation <a dry photocopying process>
12
a : not showing or communicating warmth, enthusiasm, or tender feeling : severe <a dry style of painting> b : wearisome, uninteresting <dry passages of description> c : lacking embellishment : plain
13
a : not yielding what is expected or desired : unproductive <a writer going through a dry spell> b : having no personal bias or emotional concern <the dry light of reason> c : reserved, aloof
14
: marked by matter-of-fact, ironic, or terse manner of expression <a dry wit>
15
: lacking smooth sound qualities <a dry rasping voice>
16
: being a dry run <a dry rehearsal>
— dry·ish \ˈdrī-ish\ adjective
— dri·ly or dry·ly adverb
— dry·ness noun
See Examples of DRY
- Mix the dry ingredients first, then add the milk and eggs.
- the dry heat of the desert
- We tried to stay dry in the rain by standing under a tree.
- The stream is bone dry.
- Are the clothes dry yet?
- The paint should be dry in a few hours.
- a stretch of dry weather
- a country with a very dry climate
- This plant does well in dry conditions.
- The chicken was dry and tasteless.
Origin of DRY
Middle English, from Old English drȳge; akin to Old High German truckan dry, Old English drēahnian to drain
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to DRY
2dry
verbdrieddry·ing
Definition of DRY
transitive verb
: to make dry
intransitive verb
: to become dry
— dry·able \ˈdrī-ə-bəl\ adjective
Examples of DRY
- I'll wash the dishes if you dry them.
- Make sure you dry your hands.
- He dried himself with the towel.
- Stop crying and dry your eyes.
- I'll wash and you dry, okay?
- Your shirt is drying on the clothesline.
First Known Use of DRY
before 12th century
3dry
noun plural drys
Definition of DRY
1
: the condition of being dry : dryness
2
: something dry; especially : a dry place
3
First Known Use of DRY
13th century
Learn More About DRY
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