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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Dry Adjective: Meanings, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：lacking moisture (dry)

dry 🔊

/draɪ/

adj.

Having no water or other liquid; not wet or moist.

Dry cracked earth close-up showing lack of moisture

lacking moisture 🔊

➕

/ˈlækɪŋ ˈmɔɪstʃər/

adj.

Describes something that contains no water or liquid, or is not wet.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'dryge', meaning free from moisture.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a desert: sand and air are dry.

📖 Example

After a week of hot sun, the grass in the park became completely dry and brown. 🔊 After a week of hot sun, the grass in the park became completely dry and brown.

🔗 Collocations

dry climate – A climate with very little rainfall or humidity.

dry skin – Skin that lacks natural oils and moisture.

dry spell – A prolonged period of dry weather.

🔄 Synonyms

arid (adj.) – Extremely dry, often used for climates or land.

parched (adj.) – Very dry, as if all moisture has been removed.

dehydrated (adj.) – Having lost a large amount of water.

🚫 Antonyms

wet (adj.) – Covered or saturated with water.

moist (adj.) – Slightly wet; damp.

humid (adj.) – Containing a high amount of water vapor.

🌱 Derivatives

dryness (n.) – The state of being dry.

dryer (n.) – A machine or device for drying something.

dried (adj.) – Having had the moisture removed.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'dry' has been used since Old English times to describe lack of water. Its application to humor dates back to the 20th century, referring to a deadpan, emotionless delivery.

Meaning 2：deadpan humor (dry)

dry 🔊

/draɪ/

adj.

Describing a type of humor that is expressed in a serious, emotionless, or matter-of-fact way.

Comedian with deadpan expression on stage audience laughing

deadpan humor 🔊

➕

/ˈdedpæn ˈhjuːmər/

adj.

A type of humor delivered with a serious, expressionless manner, often making the joke funnier by its contrast.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

My history teacher has a very dry sense of humor; he tells the funniest stories with a completely straight face. 🔊 My history teacher has a very dry sense of humor; he tells the funniest stories with a completely straight face.

🔗 Collocations

dry wit – A sharp, clever sense of humor expressed in a serious tone.

dry comedy – Comedy that relies on deadpan delivery.

dry remark – A comment that is funny because of its serious, matter-of-fact tone.

🔄 Synonyms

deadpan (adj.) – Deliberately showing no emotion, especially when telling a joke.

sardonic (adj.) – Disrespectful or scornful in a humorous way, often with a straight face.

wry (adj.) – Using dry, understated humor to express amusement or criticism.

🚫 Antonyms

expressive (adj.) – Showing feelings openly and clearly.

emotional (adj.) – Full of emotion; easily moved.

animated (adj.) – Lively and full of energy in expression.