dry

dryverb

1. remove waterbecome dry, or make something dry

   Dry the dishes means making them dry after they are washed, usually with a cloth; dry your eyes means stop crying.

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • Hang the towels outside to dry.
   • The paint takes about an hour to dry.
   • She dried her hair with a towel. V + obj + prep + obj
   • Dry your hands before you touch the switch. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun dry your hair, dry your hands, dry the dishes, dry your eyes

   verb + adverb dry quickly, dry completely

   Antonyms wet

2. keep foodtake the water out of food so that it will keep for a long time

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] usually passive [usually passive] food

   • The fish is dried in the sun. usually passive (passive)
   • We bought a bag of dried fruit for the trip. (past participle used before a noun)

   Collocations

   verb + noun dry fruit, dry fish, dry meat, dry herbs

See also dry up; dry off