dry out

The phrase "dry out" can refer to the removal of moisture or the process of overcoming addiction.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

B2General

(common)To remove moisture from something, causing it to become dry.

Example

The clothes will dry out faster if you hang them outside.
Without proper care, the paint can dry out and crack.

B2General

(common)To lose moisture and become dry.

Example

The soil will dry out if you don't water it regularly.
Her skin tends to dry out in the winter.

C1Health

(colloquial, idiomatic)To stop consuming alcohol or using drugs, often to overcome addiction.

Example

He decided to dry out at a rehabilitation center.
She needed time to dry out and get her life back on track.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "dry out":

dry up dried out dry off dried up run dry hang out to dry dry pot dry light dry market drain out wring out air out dry lab high and dry dry spell bleed dry tumble dry wash out dry lunch water down dry rot die out dry as a dead dingo's donger ring out boil off clean out thin out squeeze out dry sex draw out drink out dry shower burn away wear out burn off mud out soak up blow out flush out boil down sweat out damp down