Definition of dry
drier
also dryer
play
\ˈdrī(-ə)r\;
driest
also dryest
play
\ˈdrī-əst\
1 a
:free or relatively free from a liquid and especially water
- Mix the dry indgredients first.
- as dry as a bone
b
:not being in or under water
- happy to be on dry land
c
meteorology
:lacking precipitation or humidity
- a dry climate
2 a
:characterized by exhaustion of a supply of liquid
- a dry well
b
geology
:devoid of running water
- a dry ravine
c
:devoid of natural moisture
- My throat was dry.
- dry leaves
d
:no longer sticky or damp
- The paint isn't dry yet.
e
:not giving milk
- a dry cow
f
:lacking freshness :stale
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
- —William 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
alcohol
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
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
- a dry lecturer
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
14
:marked by matter-of-fact, ironic, or terse manner of expression
- a dry wit
- has a very dry sense of humor
15
:lacking smooth sound qualities
- a dry rasping voice
16
:being a dry run
- a dry rehearsal
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