26984 words

dry

19 definitions • 27 examples
1
used to describe something that has no water or other liquid in, on, or around it:

Examples:

I hung his wet trousers on the radiator, but they're not dry yet.
These plants grow well in dry soil/a dry climate.
This cake's a bit dry - I think I left it in the oven for too long.
2
used to describe weather or periods of time when no rain falls:

Examples:

If it's dry tomorrow I'll cut the grass.
It should be a nice, sunny, dry day.
3
If a river or other area of water runs dry, the water gradually disappears from it:

Examples:

By this time all the wells had run dry.
4
Dry hair or skin does not have enough of the natural oils that make it soft and smooth:

Examples:

a shampoo for dry hair
5
Dry bread is plain, without butter, jam, etc.:

Examples:

All I was offered was a piece of dry bread and an apple!
6
If a book, talk, subject, etc. is dry, it is not interesting.
7
without alcoholic drinks:

Examples:

a dry wedding
a dry bar
a dry state (= a place that does not allow alcohol)
8
If wine or other alcoholic drinks are dry, they do not taste sweet:

Examples:

On the whole, I like dry wine better than sweet.
9
Dry humour is very funny in a way that is clever and not obvious:

Examples:

a dry sense of humour
a dry wit
10
a place where the conditions are not wet, especially when compared to somewhere where the conditions are wet:

Examples:

You're soaked - come into the dry.
11
to become dry, or to make something become dry:

Examples:

Will this paint dry by tomorrow?
Hang the clothes up to dry.
The fruit is dried in the sun.
12
to dry plates, knives, forks, etc. after they have been washed:

Examples:

Could you dry the dishes, Sam?
13
without water or liquid in, on, or around something:

Examples:

Are the clothes dry yet?
14
If hair or skin is dry, it lacks natural oils:

Examples:

Do you have a shampoo for dry hair?
15
If the weather is dry, there is very little water in the air and no chance of rain.
16
(of a place) not permitting alcoholic drinks to be sold
17

Examples:

The book is packed with information but it is a little dry.
18
amusing in a way that is not obvious:

Examples:

a dry wit
19
to become dry, or to remove water from something :

Examples:

[ I ] I can’t go out until my hair dries.
[ T ] The woman dried her hands on a towel and returned to the table.
[ I ] If you don’t keep food covered, it dries out.

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