free from water or other liquid; not wet
After the rain stopped, the children waited for their clothes to become completely dry.
Please make sure your hands are dry before touching the computer.
to remove water or moisture from something, or to become free of moisture
She dried the dishes with a towel.
Hang the painting outside so the paint can dry faster.
having very little rain or humidity
In this region, the winters are mild but the summers are very dry.
Cacti have adapted to live in dry environments.
(of wine, beer, or other drinks) having little or no sweetness
I prefer dry white wine with fish.
The sommelier recommended a crisp, dry Riesling.
not including or allowing alcoholic drinks
It was a dry wedding, so only juice and soda were served.
He decided to stay dry for the whole month of January.
showing humor that is subtle, matter-of-fact, and delivered with little outward emotion
His dry sense of humor made everyone chuckle.
She delivered the joke in such a dry manner that it took a moment to sink in.
a person who supports laws that ban the sale of alcoholic drinks or who personally chooses not to drink alcohol
The drys campaigned fiercely for prohibition in the early 1900s.
Although he owns a pub, his brother is a lifelong dry.
comparative form of dry: having comparatively little moisture
This towel is much dryer than before.
The summer here is dryer than last year.
✦ The comparative suffix '-er' added to 'dry'; this pattern dates back to Old English.
