drought

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

Synonyms

• shortage
• lack

Examples of drought in a Sentence

The drought caused serious damage to crops.

a period of drought that lasted several years

Recent Examples on the Web

With that throw, the 707-day drought for a four-touchdown game came to a close. —Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025

Underwatering is similar to drought stress, while overwatering can cause fungal disease or root rot. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025

What a postseason field for the drought-haters among us. —Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

Butterflies attuned to rainfall falter in drought. —Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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