Driest Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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driest

[draษชษชst ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

description, weather

The term 'driest' refers to having very little or no moisture at all. It can describe something that lacks wetness, such as a place with minimal rainfall or an object that has absorbed moisture completely. In meteorology, 'driest' is often used to describe areas or times of the year that experience the least amount of precipitation.

Synonyms

arid, barren, dehydrated, parched.

Examples of usage

  • The driest desert in the world is the Atacama.
  • This month is predicted to be the driest in years.
  • He prefers the driest wine available.

Translations

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Origin of 'driest'

The word 'dry' comes from Old English 'drศณge', which is derived from Proto-Germanic '*drลซgiz', meaning 'to dry' or 'to wither'. Its use has evolved throughout the centuries, originally describing both the physical state of lacking moisture and the lack of emotional expression, such as humor or warmth. 'Driest' is the superlative form of 'dry', indicating the extreme degree of this state. The comparative forms are 'drier' and 'driest', which have been utilized in English since at least the 14th century to describe not only weather conditions, as in a lack of rain, but also to reference the absence of wetness in various contexts, such as food, climate, and other physical properties. The term has retained its core meaning throughout its usage in literary and conversational contexts.


Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,409, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.