anhydrous

adjective

an·​hy·​drous (ˌ)an-ˈhī-drəs 

: free from water and especially water of crystallization

Examples of anhydrous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the lead-up to World War II, Lion Oil organized a subsidiary in 1941 to manufacture anhydrous ammonia, a material used in explosives. —Arkansas Online, 6 Dec. 2025

Another perk is that balms are often (but not always) anhydrous, meaning they’re formulated without water. —Deanna Pai, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025

Last week, an anhydrous ammonia leak caused by an explosion at a plant north of Yazoo City, Mississippi, prompted evacuations for nearby residents. —Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025

The tanker was carrying 25,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, a concentrated farming fertilizer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 13 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from French anhydre "waterless" (borrowed from Greek ánydros, from an- an- + -ydros, form in combination of hydat-, hýdōr "water") + -ous — more at water entry 1

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anhydrous

• hydrous

Kids Definition

anhydrous

adjective

an·​hy·​drous (ˈ)an-ˈhī-drəs 

: free from water

Medical Definition

anhydrous

adjective

an·​hy·​drous (ˈ)an-ˈhī-drəs 

: free from water and especially water that is chemically combined in a crystalline substance

anhydrous ammonia