adj.
Pronunciation: ' dr ī
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: dri · er also dry · er \ ' dr ī (- ə )r \ ; dri · est also dry · est \ ' dr ī - ə st \
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English dry ̄ ge; akin to Old High German truckan dry, Old English dr ē ahnian to drain
Date: before 12th century
1 a : free or relatively free from a liquid and especially water b : not being in or under water < dry land> c : lacking precipitation or humidity <a dry climate>
2 a : characterized by exhaustion of a supply of liquid <a dry well> b : devoid of running water <a dry ravine> c : devoid of natural moisture <my throat was dry > d : no longer sticky or damp <the paint is dry > e : not giving milk <a dry cow> f : lacking freshness : STALE g : 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 ― Shakespeare>
5 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 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>
9 : functioning without lubrication <a dry clutch>
10 of natural gas : containing no recoverable hydrocarbon (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> c : lacking embellishment : PLAIN <the dry facts>
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> c : RESERVED , ALOOF
14 : marked by matter-of-fact, ironic, or terse manner of expression <a dry wit>
15 : lacking smooth sound qualities <a dry rasping voice>
16 : being a dry run <a dry rehearsal>
– dry · ish \ ' dr ī -ish \ adjective
– dri · ly or dry · ly adverb
– dry · ness noun