dry goods

plural noun

ˈdrī-ˌgu̇dz 

1

: grocery items (such as tobacco, sugar, flour, and coffee) that do not contain liquid

2

: textiles, ready-to-wear clothing, and notions as distinguished especially from hardware and groceries

Examples of dry goods in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His uncles were duly impressed, and in 1905, when Sung Pan retired to China, Ming Tai took over the older man’s shares in two cigar factories and the dry goods store, Kwong Tai Chong. —Charlotte Brooks, Big Think, 13 Mar. 2026

If a pantry infestation is suspected, discard all contaminated food and any other open dry goods in outdoor trash bins. —Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 11 Mar. 2026

Seal dry goods, such as pet food and birdseed, in airtight containers in the pantry or garage so mice can't get into them. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026

These settlers played a key role in establishing businesses, including dry goods stores, banks, and shipping companies. —Jason Touvi, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for dry goods

• backwoods
• childhoods
• falsehoods
• flatwoods
• hardwoods
• priesthoods
• redwoods
• softwoods
• brotherhoods
• cottonwoods
• likelihoods
• livelihoods

Kids Definition

dry goods

plural noun

ˈdrī-ˌgu̇dz 

: cloth goods (as fabrics, lace, and ribbon)