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

Be sure to rinse the gasket well to prevent the vinegar from drying out the rubber and causing cracks. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026

Giving the inside of your washing machine time to dry out can also prevent costly repairs and help your machine last longer. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026

Ideal for children and experienced artists, this clay won’t dry out until baked in a home oven. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

Occasionally lifting or entirely removing your gym mats allows the concrete to dry out and gives you a chance to spot problems early, before mold becomes a bigger problem. —Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Jan. 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