dry goods

plural noun

ˈdrī-ˌgu̇dz 

1

: grocery items (such as tobacco, sugar, flour, and coffee) that do not contain liquid

2

: textiles, ready-to-wear clothing, and notions as distinguished especially from hardware and groceries

Examples of dry goods in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One pot of potatoes and french beans were stored on a dry goods shelf, below proper holding temperature. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado updated January 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Inside, the portable is set up like a mini-grocery store with shelves of canned and dry goods, produce and a refrigerated section of meats and dairy. —Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 13 Jan. 2026

The brothers had founded a business for dry goods there. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 Jan. 2026

More than 400 families with critically ill children were provided fresh produce, dry goods, turkeys and home essentials. —Sharon Hlapcich, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for dry goods

• backwoods
• childhoods
• falsehoods
• flatwoods
• hardwoods
• priesthoods
• redwoods
• softwoods
• brotherhoods
• cottonwoods
• likelihoods
• livelihoods

Kids Definition

dry goods

plural noun

ˈdrī-ˌgu̇dz 

: cloth goods (as fabrics, lace, and ribbon)