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

Sonoma County had a rainy late spring, so the vegetation rebounded and began drying out, leaving behind more kindling for fires. — Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

Waiting for cooler temperatures prevents mums from drying out and reduces heat stress. — Kate McKenna, The Spruce, 17 Sep. 2026

Just as noteworthy is the formula’s focus on supporting the skin barrier, which retinol can notoriously dry out and irritate. — Emily Orofino, Allure, 15 Sep. 2026

These chemicals can irritate sensitive skin and dry out hair. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

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