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

Serbian hydrology expert Dejan Vladikovic said the current drought is the combination of a lack of winter snow and a very dry spring. — CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Warships, mammoth bones and parts of ancient constructions all have emerged from the slumping waters of the Danube, the Rhine and other rivers in the scorching drought that has also disrupted trade, power and water supplies. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Dwight Howard left the team in free agency that offseason, and the Lakers began their longest playoff drought in franchise history. — Law Murray, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Bear sightings have been on the rise this summer, which wildlife officials attribute to severe drought conditions that are limiting bears' food sources, forcing them to forage in populated areas. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 Aug. 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