dry out

verb

dried out; drying out; dries out

intransitive verb

: to undergo an extended period of withdrawal from alcohol or drug use especially at a special clinic

Examples of dry out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If your storage room is too dry, the cork can dry out but if the room is too humid, the cork can become too wet and not cool the wine properly. —Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

High temperatures can stress corn in other ways, lowering pollen production, reducing pollen’s viability or drying out other parts of the plants, reducing fertility. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025

These absorbent coasters are also perfect for the bathroom sink; they’re made from natural Diatomaceous earth, which absorbs moisture and dries out very quickly. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2025

Human activities can start fires and fuel climate change, which further dries out the land, amplifying wildfire activity. —Seyd Teymoor Seydi, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dry out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Medical Definition

dry-out

1 of 2 adjective

ˈdrī-ˌau̇t 

: providing detoxification treatment

checked into a dry-out clinic

dry out

2 of 2 transitive verb

(ˈ)drī-ˈau̇t 

: to subject to withdrawal from the use of alcohol or drugs : detoxify sense 2

intransitive verb

: to undergo an extended period of withdrawal from alcohol or drug use especially at a special clinic : detoxify