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

Letting the soil dry out some between waterings keeps the roots from rotting in excess moisture. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2026

Anyway, the next day, the chefs are unpacking their dehydrators, and Brandon is disappointed to find that his meringues didn’t really dry out. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026

Just be sure to check moisture regularly, as the additional airflow can dry out your growing medium more quickly. —Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 6 Apr. 2026

Geotextile fabric pots are easy to use but dry out superfast in our climate. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 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