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

Kondrat suggests trimming off the rotten, mushy tissue and letting the plant and soil dry out for 2 weeks or so. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2026

Everything was heated through, the chicken was juicy, and the Brussels sprouts weren't dried out. —April Benshosan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Jan. 2026

Bare-root trees need to be planted quickly since their roots are at risk of drying out. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2026

If the paper towel dries out, re-moisten it with a spray bottle. —Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 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