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

This thin layer dries out quickly, and dry soil discourages termites from invading. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026

Doctors say if animal waste is left to dry out for about 2 to 4 weeks, the parasite's eggs can cause an infection. —Amy Corral, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026

What’s the best way to keep it from drying out? —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026

Homes that are tightly sealed and insulated are particularly prone because the air doesn’t circulate enough to dry out surfaces. —Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 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