dry

¹dry

adj \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

a : characterized by exhaustion of a supply of liquid <a dry well> b : devoid of running water <a dry ravine> c : devoid of natural moisture <my throat was dry> d : no longer sticky or damp e : not giving milk <a dry cow> f : lacking freshness : stale g : anhydrous

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

Examples of DRY

1. Mix the dry ingredients first, then add the milk and eggs.
2. the dry heat of the desert
3. We tried to stay dry in the rain by standing under a tree.
4. The stream is bone dry.
5. Are the clothes dry yet?
6. The paint should be dry in a few hours.
7. a stretch of dry weather
8. a country with a very dry climate
9. This plant does well in dry conditions.
10. 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

Synonyms: arid, droughty, sere (also sear), thirsty, waterless

Antonyms: damp, dank, humid, moist, wet

Related Words: air-dry; bone-dry, hyperarid, ultradry; baked, dehydrated, parched, sunbaked; rainless; desert, desertic, desertlike, xerothermic

Near Antonyms: awash, bathed, doused (also dowsed), drenched, dripping, saturated, soaked, soaking, sodden, soggy, sopping, soppy, soused, washed, watered, waterlogged, watery; deluged, drowned, flooded, inundated, overflowed; submerged, swamped; hydrated

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr