dry

1 of 3

adjective

drier also dryer ˈdrī(-ə)r How to pronounce dry (audio) ; driest also dryest ˈdrī-əst How to pronounce dry (audio)
1
a
: free or relatively free from a liquid and especially water
Mix the dry ingredients first.
as dry as a bone
b
: not being in or under water
happy to be on dry land
c
meteorology : lacking precipitation or humidity
a dry climate
2
a
: characterized by exhaustion of a supply of liquid
a dry well
b
geology : devoid of running water
a dry ravine
c
: devoid of natural moisture
My throat was dry.
dry leaves
d
: no longer sticky or damp
The paint isn't dry yet.
e
: not giving milk
a dry cow
f
: lacking freshness : stale
g
chemistry : anhydrous
3
a
: marked by the absence or scantiness of secretions
a dry cough
b
: not shedding or accompanied by tears
a dry sob
4
obsolete : involving no bloodshed or drowning
I would fain die a dry deathWilliam Shakespeare
5
a
: marked by the absence of alcoholic beverages
a dry party
b
: prohibiting the manufacture or distribution of alcoholic beverages
a dry county
6
: served or eaten without butter or margarine
dry toast
7
alcohol
a
: lacking sweetness : sec
dry champagne
b
: having all or most sugar fermented to alcohol
a dry wine
dry beer
8
a
: solid as opposed to liquid
dry groceries
b
: reduced to powder or flakes : dehydrated
dry milk
c
: dealing in dry goods or other nonperishable items
After breakfast, we head to the wet market along Graham Street in Hong Kong. The wet market sells foodstuffs; the adjacent dry market offers clothes, shoes, and other retail items.Rudy Maxa
9
: functioning without lubrication
a dry clutch
10
of natural gas : containing no recoverable hydrocarbon (such as gasoline)
11
: requiring no liquid in preparation or operation
a dry photocopying process
12
a
: not showing or communicating warmth, enthusiasm, or tender feeling : severe
a dry style of painting
b
: wearisome, uninteresting
dry passages of description
a dry lecturer
c
: lacking embellishment : plain
13
a
: not yielding what is expected or desired : unproductive
a writer going through a dry spell
b
: having no personal bias or emotional concern
the dry light of reason
14
: marked by matter-of-fact, ironic, or terse manner of expression
a dry wit
has a very dry sense of humor
15
: lacking smooth sound qualities
a dry rasping voice
16
: being a dry run
a dry rehearsal
dryish adjective
dryly adverb
or less commonly drily
dryness noun

dry

2 of 3

verb

dried; drying

transitive verb

: to make dry (see dry entry 1)
drying her hair

intransitive verb

: to become dry
waiting for the paint to dry
dryable adjective

dry

3 of 3

noun

plural drys
1
: the condition of being dry (see dry entry 1) : dryness
2
: something dry
especially : a dry place
3

Examples of dry in a Sentence

Adjective Mix the dry ingredients first, then add the milk and eggs. the dry heat of the desert We tried to stay dry in the rain by standing under a tree. The stream is bone dry. Are the clothes dry yet? The paint should be dry in a few hours. a stretch of dry weather a country with a very dry climate This plant does well in dry conditions. The chicken was dry and tasteless. Verb I'll wash the dishes if you dry them. Make sure you dry your hands. He dried himself with the towel. Stop crying and dry your eyes. I'll wash and you dry, okay? Your shirt is drying on the clothesline.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Examples: Guinness Foreign Export Stout, Modern Times City of the Dead. Irish Red Ale: Maroon hues, caramel/toffee notes, dry finish, low to moderate alcohol. Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024 In addition to peeling layers of dry skin, the mask also effectively softened calluses for a smoother surface. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 Russell opted to make 1-inch waves with the help of a small flat iron, each section finished with dry shampoo and brushed up to fluffy perfection. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2024 Officials urge residents to follow any burn bans in effect, avoid parking vehicles with hot engines on dry grass and to properly dispose of cigarettes. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 For the Venison Pastrami Rub Maple syrup 1 1/2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns 1 teaspoon caraway seeds 1 teaspoon coriander seeds 1 teaspoons dry thyme leaves 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds Directions Trim the roast of any silver skin and fascia. Jack Hennessy, Field & Stream, 13 Mar. 2024 Wisconsin’s wildfire season is starting fast and early across the state after a warm, dry winter. David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024 Argentine concerns are born in neighboring Chile, where lithium mining has been in full force for decades in the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth. Megan Janetsky, Victor R. Caivano and Rodrigo Abd, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 And these dry conditions are happening more often in the state, as elsewhere in the US. Laura Paddison, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024
Verb
The brand doesn't recommend using a drying machine, so lay flat to dry and iron on a cool setting if needed. Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 16 Mar. 2024 As the fragrance dries down, a bergamot and rose base exudes a light powdery moment. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 15 Mar. 2024 Plus, this type of doormat also dries pretty quickly. Lee Alisha Williams, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024 The microfiber is absorbent but dries quickly, and proved to be sand-resistant — our tester’s car remained sand-free. Bianca Lambert, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 Osha is sold in various forms, including whole, dried, and fresh roots. Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2024 Cold weather also tends to damage the top layer of skin, drying it out and weakening it against irritants. Madison Yauger, Health, 10 Mar. 2024 Place the egg on a paper towel and let dry for 20 minutes—don't wipe off any shaving cream until the egg has completely dried. Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2024 No way to dry your hands at the front counter handwash sink. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
As summer gives way to fall, the growth slows, then comes to a halt, and the velvet dies and dries. Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 10 Jan. 2024 This Revlon hot air brush blow dries, styles, and smooths simultaneously to give you a salon-worthy blowout at home. Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 18 Nov. 2023 Unfold and glue the two end pieces together to form a bell (use a paper clip to hold the pieces together until the glue dries). Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2023 Add sprinkles quickly: Make sure to sprinkle before the coating dries. Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2023 However, after the disinfectant dries, food-contact surfaces should typically be rinsed with a wet rag or paper towel. Jessica Comstock, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2023 Thinking about skipping the blow dries or leaving your flat iron at home? Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2023 In this case, the glue will act as the main hold while the screws essentially serve as clamps until the adhesive dries. Jean Levasseur, Popular Science, 26 July 2023 The drupe fruit contains a small pit in the middle exposed when the fleshy exterior dries and splits open. USA TODAY, 4 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word '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

Etymology

Adjective, Verb, and Noun

Middle English, from Old English drȳge; akin to Old High German truckan dry, Old English drēahnian to drain

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dry was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near dry

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

dry

1 of 3 adjective
drier
ˈdrī(-ə)r
; driest
ˈdrī-əst
1
: free or nearly free from liquid and especially water
dry weight
dry steam
2
: characterized by loss or lack of water: as
a
: lacking precipitation and humidity
a dry climate
b
: lacking freshness : stale
c
: low in or deprived of natural juices or moisture
dry hay
a dry fruit
3
: not being in or under water
dry land
4
b
: marked by the absence of alcoholic beverages
a dry party
c
: no longer damp or sticky
the paint is dry
5
: containing or using no liquid (as water)
a dry creek
dry heat
6
: not giving milk
a dry cow
7
: not producing phlegm
dry cough
8
: not producing or yielding what is expected or wanted
a dry oil well
9
: marked by a matter-of-fact, ironic, or terse manner of expression
dry humor
10
: failing to arouse interest or enthusiasm
a dry lecture
11
: not sweet
dry wines
12
: relating to, favoring, or practicing prohibition of alcoholic beverages
a dry county
dryly adverb
or drily
dryness noun

dry

2 of 3 verb
dried; drying
: to make or become dry

dry

3 of 3 noun
plural drys
ˈdrīz

Medical Definition

dry

1 of 2 adjective
drier ˈdrī(-ə)r How to pronounce dry (audio) ; driest ˈdrī-əst How to pronounce dry (audio)
1
: marked by the absence or scantiness of secretions, effusions, or other forms of moisture
2
of a cough : not accompanied by the raising of mucus or phlegm

dry

2 of 2 verb
dried; drying

transitive verb

: to make dry

intransitive verb

: to become dry

More from Merriam-Webster on dry

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!