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 death—
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare5
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
Rudy Maxa9
: 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
dried; drying
: to make dry (see dry entry 1)
drying her hair
: to become dry
waiting for the paint to dry
plural drys
1
: the condition of being dry (see dry entry 1) : dryness
2
: something dry
especially
: a dry place
3
Synonyms
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.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebJason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2023
The illness' past hallmarks, such as a dry cough or the loss of sense of taste or smell, have become less common.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 16 Sep. 2023
Dew points in the 40s are on the dry end — almost autumnally crisp.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023
But smoke from the fire is forecast to be more visible Friday and into the weekend due to warmer and drier weather, Wisehart said.
—Gwozniac, oregonlive, 15 Sep. 2023
As vexed as Barbe-Nicole may be by frog-eyed bubbles or spoiled bottles, such dry business concerns simply can’t muster the emotional intensity of her ups and downs with François.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Sep. 2023
Packed with vitamins and other hydrating ingredients, this serum is a great option for dry, brittle nails.
—Kayla Hui, Mph, Verywell Health, 15 Sep. 2023
But, over time, the complexion starts to build a barrier of dry skin cells that can get in the way of a deep cleanse and block ultra-nourishing formulas from their fullest potential.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2023
The National Weather Service said Sunday that dry and warm conditions would help the area improve.
—Timothy Bella, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Sep. 2023
Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Share [Findings] Sugar ants will mine dried urine from sand.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 13 Sep. 2023
Apply the product to your scalp twice a day to dry or wet hair and expect to start seeing results in as soon as a few weeks.
—Neha Tandon, Glamour, 13 Sep. 2023
Flower arrangers and crafters love the silvery, plume-like flowers fresh and dried.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2023
Then each must be harvested by hand, usually with a tiny brush, sifted, cleaned and left to dry in the sun.
—Fernanda Pesce, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2023
Exhibits highlight work being done to protect amphibians from a fungus that dries their skin.
—Pam Leblanc, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2023
Organizers temporarily closed Burning Man’s gates a few days before the event’s official start date of Aug. 27 to allow the playa to dry from Hurricane Hilary’s rains.
—Samantha Chery, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2023
Walking was almost impossible Saturday morning, but started to improve as the ground began to dry.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2023
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
This non-slip stone mat, which was featured in a TikTok video that's racked up more than 173,000 views, is made of siliceous sedimentary rock, which can hold up to 150 percent of its weight in moisture and dries in seconds, leaving you with a clean, mold-free surface every time.
—Stephanie Montes, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2023
Advertisement Once the ceiling paint dries, cut in the wall edges — around the ceiling and along the skirt board (the trim piece often found at the edges of an enclosed staircase) and any other trim.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 16 June 2023
Before the nail polish dries, sprinkle with blue glitter.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA TODAY, 6 June 2023
Start out with a pair made of either merino wool or synthetic fabrics; wool is better at regulating temperature, while synthetic dries much faster.
—Matt Crisara, Popular Mechanics, 2 June 2023
Once the base color dries, apply your next color over the top.
—Kristin Luna, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2023
After the sunscreen dries, then apply your layer of tanning oil.
—elle.com, 16 May 2023
See More
Adjective
Vermouth was extraordinarily fashionable in the 1880s, a brand new import from Italy, and bartenders were mixing it with everything from rye (Manhattan) to gin (Martini) to, in this case, sherry, the dry, slightly nutty, fortified wine from the south of Spain.
—Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2023
The illness' past hallmarks, such as a dry cough or the loss of sense of taste or smell, have become less common.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 16 Sep. 2023
Dew points in the 40s are on the dry end — almost autumnally crisp.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023
But smoke from the fire is forecast to be more visible Friday and into the weekend due to warmer and drier weather, Wisehart said.
—Gwozniac, oregonlive, 15 Sep. 2023
As vexed as Barbe-Nicole may be by frog-eyed bubbles or spoiled bottles, such dry business concerns simply can’t muster the emotional intensity of her ups and downs with François.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Sep. 2023
Packed with vitamins and other hydrating ingredients, this serum is a great option for dry, brittle nails.
—Kayla Hui, Mph, Verywell Health, 15 Sep. 2023
But, over time, the complexion starts to build a barrier of dry skin cells that can get in the way of a deep cleanse and block ultra-nourishing formulas from their fullest potential.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2023
The National Weather Service said Sunday that dry and warm conditions would help the area improve.
—Timothy Bella, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Sep. 2023
Verb
Here’s a sour golden ale laced with juniper berries, orange peel, dried rose petals, orris root and angelica root, all aged in oak barrels.
—Peter Rowe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
Share [Findings] Sugar ants will mine dried urine from sand.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 13 Sep. 2023
Apply the product to your scalp twice a day to dry or wet hair and expect to start seeing results in as soon as a few weeks.
—Neha Tandon, Glamour, 13 Sep. 2023
Flower arrangers and crafters love the silvery, plume-like flowers fresh and dried.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2023
Then each must be harvested by hand, usually with a tiny brush, sifted, cleaned and left to dry in the sun.
—Fernanda Pesce, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2023
Exhibits highlight work being done to protect amphibians from a fungus that dries their skin.
—Pam Leblanc, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2023
Organizers temporarily closed Burning Man’s gates a few days before the event’s official start date of Aug. 27 to allow the playa to dry from Hurricane Hilary’s rains.
—Samantha Chery, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2023
Walking was almost impossible Saturday morning, but started to improve as the ground began to dry.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2023
Noun
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
This non-slip stone mat, which was featured in a TikTok video that's racked up more than 173,000 views, is made of siliceous sedimentary rock, which can hold up to 150 percent of its weight in moisture and dries in seconds, leaving you with a clean, mold-free surface every time.
—Stephanie Montes, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2023
Advertisement Once the ceiling paint dries, cut in the wall edges — around the ceiling and along the skirt board (the trim piece often found at the edges of an enclosed staircase) and any other trim.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 16 June 2023
Before the nail polish dries, sprinkle with blue glitter.
—Madeline Mitchell, USA TODAY, 6 June 2023
Start out with a pair made of either merino wool or synthetic fabrics; wool is better at regulating temperature, while synthetic dries much faster.
—Matt Crisara, Popular Mechanics, 2 June 2023
Once the base color dries, apply your next color over the top.
—Kristin Luna, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2023
After the sunscreen dries, then apply your layer of tanning oil.
—elle.com, 16 May 2023
See More
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
Phrases Containing dry
Dictionary Entries Near dry
Cite this Entry
“Dry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dry. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
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
a
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
Medical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on dry
Nglish: Translation of dry for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of dry for Arabic Speakers
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