air-dry

1 of 2

adjective

: dry to such a degree that no further moisture is given up on exposure to air

air-dry

2 of 2

verb

air-dried; air-drying; air-dries

transitive verb

: to dry by exposure to air

intransitive verb

: to become dry by exposure to air

Examples of air-dry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Drain the rice a final time, then spread it on a baking sheet to air-dry. Emily Horton, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Instead, air-dry silk items after removing them from the washing machine or hand-washing them. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2023 For care, the brand recommends machine-washing the sweater with cold water in a garment bag, then drying on low heat or laying flat to air-dry. Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 8 Jan. 2024 Always remove the battery packs first, run them on a gentle cycle, and allow them to air-dry completely before your put the batteries back in. Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2023 Like other wearable pumps, it’s also recommended to air-dry each individual part between pumping sessions in order to achieve proper seal and suction. Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 12 Oct. 2023 Instead, air-dry these types of items on an indoor drying rack or an old-fashioned outdoor clothesline. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2023 According to 14th Night, shake the bottle before smoothing four to eight drops into wet hair from mid-lengths to ends, then air-dry or heat-style. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2023 However, this pottery kit brings the studio to the ceramics enthusiast and allows pieces to air-dry for immediate use without needing to fire them up. Nykia Spradley, Glamour, 20 Sep. 2023
Verb
Be sure to air-dry the topper before making your bed. Women's Health, 23 Feb. 2023 The piece consists of 38 small sculptures, each on its own shelf, each sculpted out of air-dry clay. Robert Boyd, Chron, 22 Feb. 2023 To refresh outdoor mats, hose them off, then air-dry. Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, 18 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'air-dry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1846, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1886, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of air-dry was in 1846

Dictionary Entries Near air-dry

Cite this Entry

“Air-dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/air-dry. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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