dry
noun
Phrases of dry noun
- the dry
a place characterized by dry conditions, particularly when contrasted with a wet environment.
• You're drenched; quickly get to the dry.
verb
Definitions of dry verb
- A2TransitiveIntransitive
To remove moisture from something; to become free of moisture.
Will this coat of paint be dry by tomorrow?
Please hang the laundry outside to dry.
These fruits were dried under the sun.
Phrases of dry verb
- dry the dishes
To use a towel or cloth to make plates, knives, forks, and other utensils dry after they have been washed.
• After dinner, I usually wash the dishes while my husband takes care of drying them.
adjective
Definitions of dry adjective
moisture
- A2
Lacking moisture; free from water or liquid.
I placed his wet pants on the heater, but they are still not dry.
These plants thrive in dry soil and a dry climate.
This cake is a bit dry; I believe I baked it too long.
weather
Characterized by an absence of rain; without rainfall.
If it remains dry tomorrow, I will mow the lawn.
It is expected to be a bright, sunny, and dry day.
The weather this week has been mostly sunny and dry.
texture
- C1
Lacking sufficient natural oils to maintain softness and smoothness.
a shampoo designed for dry hair
Use a skin cream with shea butter to moisturize dry skin.
food
Plain; without butter, jam, or other spreads.
They only offered me a slice of dry bread and an apple!
He usually eats dry bread for breakfast.
interest
- C2disapproving
Lacking in interest or excitement; dull and uninspiring.
This book is so full of details that it becomes dry to read.
The presentation was so dry, I almost fell asleep.
alcohol
Free from alcoholic drinks.
a wedding without alcoholic beverages
a bar that serves only non-alcoholic drinks
a dry state, where alcohol is prohibited
taste
- C1
Not sweet in taste.
dry cider/martini/sherry/wine
Generally, I prefer dry wine over sweet wine.
This dry white wine has hints of citrus.
humor
- approving
Marked by a clever and subtle, not obvious, sense of humor.
a dry sense of humor
a dry wit
He is known for his dry humor.
Idioms
- dry your eyes
To stop crying or to encourage someone to stop crying.
• She couldn't help crying when she heard the bad news, but I gently said, "Okay, dry your eyes."
- as dry as a bone
Used to describe something that is completely devoid of moisture; extremely dry.
• The air in the desert is as dry as a bone, making it very uncomfortable.
- not a dry eye in the house
Used to describe a situation where everyone present is so emotionally moved by what they have seen or heard that many of them are crying.
• During the touching wedding ceremony, there was not a dry eye in the house; it was truly moving.
Phrasal Verbs of dry
- dry up
When a body of water such as a river or lake dries up, its water vanishes.
• Due to climate change, the river is gradually drying up.
- dry out
When a person dries out, they overcome their dependence on alcohol.
• After months of treatment, he finally managed to dry out. It was a real process of recovery.
- dry something up
to use a cloth to dry items like plates and cups after washing them.
• After washing the dishes, he usually dries them up with a clean cloth.
- dry (someone/something) off
to remove moisture from someone or something, or to cause them to become dry, particularly on the surface
• After swimming, she dried her daughter off with a towel.
- dry (something) out
to cause an object or substance to become completely dry, or to reach a state of dryness
• We need to dry the carpet out to prevent it from getting moldy.