drought

1 of 2

noun

ˈdrau̇t 

variants or less commonly drouth

ˈdrau̇th 

1

: a period of dryness especially when prolonged

specifically : one that causes extensive damage to crops or prevents their successful growth

resistant to drought

2

: a prolonged or chronic shortage or lack of something expected or desired

a drought of creativity

droughtiness

ˈdrau̇-tē-nəs 

noun

droughty

ˈdrau̇-tē

adjective

droughty

2 of 2

adjective

variants or drouthy

|ē, 

|i

-er/-est

1

: dry, arid : lacking moisture

the droughty desert

—A. D. Carruthers

2

: of, relating to, or afflicted by a prolonged drought

we look into a droughty sky

—I. R. Tannehill

over most of the area droughty conditions still prevail

3

: thirsty

Synonyms of drought

Noun

• shortage
• lack

Examples of drought in a Sentence

Noun

The drought caused serious damage to crops.

a period of drought that lasted several years

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The high prices are adding to pain for cattle ranchers in western states, who were already struggling with persistent drought. — Anna King, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026

The flooding was not unexpected after two months of heavy rain that ended a summer of drought. — Mead Gruver, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Charlotte’s water utility has fielded about 18 complaints a day of people violating mandatory water restrictions in place since mid-May, when the region was facing an extreme drought crisis. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Defending champion Sei Young Kim, who ended a five-year victory drought in 2025 with a win last year in South Korea, shot 77 Saturday and was at even par. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English drūgath, from drūgian to dry up; akin to Old English drȳge dry — more at dry

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for drought

• bout
• clout
• doubt
• flout
• gout
• grout
• kraut
• lout
• out
• pout
• rout
• scout

Kids Definition

drought

noun

variants also drouth

ˈdrau̇t 

ˈdrau̇th

: a long period of dry weather

droughty

-ē

adjective