Definition of Dry (meaning 1 of 2 — adjective)
Quick Meaning of Dry
Not containing water or moisture; the opposite of wet.
Detailed Definition of Dry
Having little or no moisture; not wet.
How to Pronounce Dry
Stress pattern: O (1-syllable word).
Tip: Rhymes with 'sky', 'fly', and 'by'. One syllable with a long 'i' sound: DRYE.
Other Meanings of Dry
“Dry” has 2 distinct meanings in English. You’re viewing meaning #1; here are the other 1:
#2 Dry as a verb
to take water or liquid off something; to stop being wet
dry your hands
Origin and Etymology of Dry
From Old English 'dryge', Germanic root related to 'draughts'.
How to Use Dry in a Sentence
Each example shows “dry” in the meaning “Not containing water or moisture; the opposite of…”, with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“The clothes are dry after hanging in the sun.”
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“I like to walk on dry ground after the rain.”
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“The desert has a very dry climate with little rainfall.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Dry
Common Synonyms for Dry
Smart Synonyms for Dry — When to Use Each
- arid
- used for regions with very little water
- parched
- when something is extremely dry or thirsty
Antonyms of Dry
Common Collocations with Dry
These phrases pair with “dry” in everyday English:
- dry weather
- dry season
- dry land
- keep dry
- bone dry
Common Mistakes When Using Dry
Even fluent speakers slip up with “dry”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: The cloth is too dry, it become stiff.
- ✓ Correct: The cloth is too dry; it becomes stiff.
- Why: Need conjunction or semicolon joining two clauses.
- ✗ Wrong: The weather will dry tomorrow.
- ✓ Correct: The weather will be dry tomorrow.
- Why: Use 'be' + adjective, not verb 'dry' alone for states.
Other Forms of Dry
Frequently Asked Questions About Dry
What is the meaning of "Dry"?
Not containing water or moisture; the opposite of wet.
How do you pronounce "Dry"?
The IPA is /draɪ/. Rhymes with 'sky', 'fly', and 'by'. One syllable with a long 'i' sound: DRYE.
What part of speech is "Dry"?
"Dry" is an adjective at A1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Dry"?
Common synonyms include arid, parched, dehydrated.
How do you use "Dry" in a sentence?
For example: "The clothes are dry after hanging in the sun."