dry

adjective

UK /draɪ/

Word Forms

adjective	dry
comparative	dryer
superlative	dryest

1
something that is dry has no water in it or on it
Is the grass dry enough to cut?
Vegetables should be stored in a cool dry place.
wipe/towel/pat something dry:
Wash the lettuce and pat it dry.
Synonyms and related words
Dry to the touch
dry
papery
scaly
1. 1a
  used about a liquid such as paint when it has become hard or solid
  Someone walked on the concrete before it was dry.
  Synonyms and related words
  Dry to the touch
  dry
  papery
  scaly
2
dry weather is when there is no rain
The weather is usually dry and sunny at this time of year.
Synonyms and related words
Lack of rain
drought
dry
the dry season
1. 2a
  used about periods of time
  Tomorrow will be mostly dry.
  Synonyms and related words
  Not interesting or exciting
  boring
  dull
  tedious
2. 2b
  used about regions
  warm dry places like southern Spain
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe dry, barren and empty areas of land
  barren
  arid
  wild
3
dry hair or skin feels rough because it does not have enough moisture in it
Synonyms and related words
Dry to the touch
dry
papery
scaly
4
dry food contains little or no liquid, such as fat or juice
The chicken was overcooked and dry.
All they gave me was some dry bread (=with no butter or anything else on it).
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe the state or consistency of food
buttery
calorific
caramelised
5
dry humour involves saying funny things in a serious way
Synonyms and related words
Funny, playful and humorous
funny
humorous
playful
6
very serious and boring
The style was too dry for a children’s book.
Synonyms and related words
Not interesting or exciting
boring
dull
tedious
7
feeling thirsty
Can I have a drink? I’m really dry.
Synonyms and related words
Thirst and thirsty
thirsty
thirst
dry
1. 7a
  if your mouth is dry, it contains very little saliva, for example because you are nervous
  Synonyms and related words
  The mouth and throat
  Adam’s apple
  agape
  corner
8
dry alcoholic drinks are not sweet
dry white wine
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe drinks
alcoholic
black
carbonated
9
a child that is dry does not need to wear a nappy because they can control when they urinate
Synonyms and related words
Going to the toilet
be caught short
bedwetting
bowel movement
10
a dry country does not allow any alcohol to be sold there
Synonyms and related words
Not drinking alcohol and not drunk or using drugs
sober
temperance
teetotal

phrases

as dry as a bone

dry cough

not a dry eye (in the house)

dry

adjective

US /draɪ/

Word Forms

adjective	dry
comparative	dryer
superlative	dryest

1
something that is dry has no water in it or on it
Is the grass dry enough to mow?
Vegetables should be stored in a cool dry place.
wipe/towel/pat something dry:
Wash the lettuce and pat it dry.
Synonyms and related words
Dry to the touch
dry
papery
scaly
1. 1a
  used about a liquid such as paint when it has become hard or solid
  Someone walked on the concrete before it was dry.
  Synonyms and related words
  Dry to the touch
  dry
  papery
  scaly
2
dry weather is when there is no rain
The weather is usually dry and sunny at this time of year.
Synonyms and related words
Lack of rain
drought
dry
the dry season
1. 2a
  used about periods of time
  Tomorrow will be mostly dry.
  Synonyms and related words
  Not interesting or exciting
  boring
  dull
  tedious
2. 2b
  used about regions
  warm dry places like southern Spain
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe dry, barren and empty areas of land
  arid
  wild
  bare
3
dry hair or skin feels rough because it does not have enough moisture in it
Synonyms and related words
Dry to the touch
dry
papery
scaly
4
dry food contains little or no liquid, such as fat or juice
The chicken was overcooked and dry.
All they gave me was some dry bread (=with no butter or anything else on it).
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe the state or consistency of food
buttery
calorific
caramelized
5
dry humor involves saying funny things in a serious way
Synonyms and related words
Funny, playful and humorous
funny
humorous
playful
6
very serious and boring
The style was too dry for a children’s book.
Synonyms and related words
Not interesting or exciting
boring
dull
tedious
7
feeling thirsty
Can I have a drink? I’m really dry.
Synonyms and related words
Thirst and thirsty
thirsty
thirst
dry
1. 7a
  if your mouth is dry, it contains very little saliva, for example because you are nervous
  Synonyms and related words
  The mouth and throat
  Adam’s apple
  agape
  corner
8
dry alcoholic drinks are not sweet
dry white wine
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe drinks
alcoholic
black
carbonated
9
a child that is dry does not need to wear a diaper because they can control when they urinate
Synonyms and related words
Going to the toilet
be caught short
bedwetting
bowel movement
10
a dry country does not allow any alcohol to be sold there
Synonyms and related words
Not drinking alcohol and not drunk or using drugs
sober
teetotal
not touch a drop

phrases

as dry as a bone

not a dry eye (in the house)

dry

verb

UK /draɪ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	dry
he/she/it	dries
present participle	drying
past tense	dried
past participle	dried

1
transitive to remove the water from something by wiping it, heating it, or blowing air onto it
We washed and dried all the sheets.
Dry your hands on this towel.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone or something wet or dry
wet
dry
wipe up
Synonyms and related words
To remove or move liquid
aspirate
bleed
blot
1. 1a
  intransitive to become dry
  I usually let my hair dry naturally.
  Synonyms and related words
  To change consistency - general words
  atomise
  atomize
  bake
2. 1b
  
  dry
  or
  dry up
  intransitive/transitive to wipe the water off dishes after they have been washed
  Whose turn is it to dry?
  Synonyms and related words
  To make things cleaner or tidier
  clean up
  clear out
  clean
2
transitive usually passiveto remove the water from food or plants as a way of preserving them
dried fruit/herbs/flowers
Synonyms and related words
Preserve food
bottle
can
cure
3
intransitive if a liquid such as paint dries, it becomes hard or solid
Leave the varnish to dry overnight.
Synonyms and related words
To change consistency - general words
atomise
atomize
bake
4
intransitive to stop talking because you have forgotten what you were going to say
Synonyms and related words
To stop talking, or to not say anything
fall silent
hush
dry up

phrases

dry your eyes

hang someone out to dry

phrasal verbs

dry off

dry out

dry up

dry

verb

US /draɪ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	dry
he/she/it	dries
present participle	drying
past tense	dried
past participle	dried

1
transitive to remove the water from something by wiping it, heating it, or blowing air onto it
We washed and dried all the sheets.
Dry your hands on this towel.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone or something wet or dry
wet
dry
wipe up
Synonyms and related words
To remove or move liquid
aspirate
bleed
blot
1. 1a
  intransitive to become dry
  I usually let my hair dry naturally.
  Synonyms and related words
  To change consistency - general words
  atomize
  bake
  boil
2. 1b
  
  dry
  or
  dry up
  intransitive/transitive to wipe the water off dishes after they have been washed
  Whose turn is it to dry?
  Synonyms and related words
  To make things cleaner or tidier
  clean up
  clear out
  clean
2
intransitive if a liquid such as paint dries, it becomes hard or solid
Leave the varnish to dry overnight.
Synonyms and related words
To change consistency - general words
atomize
bake
boil
3
transitive usually passiveto remove the water from food or plants as a way of preserving them
dried fruit/herbs/flowers
Synonyms and related words
Preserve food
bottle
can
cure
4
intransitive to stop talking because you have forgotten what you were going to say
Synonyms and related words
To stop talking, or to not say anything
fall silent
hush
dry up

phrases

dry your eyes

hang someone out to dry

phrasal verbs

dry off

dry out

dry up

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dry up

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dry

dry up

dry

dry

dry

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