arid
AIR-id
/ˈærɪd/
Having little or no rain; too dry or barren to support vegetation.
Describes a permanent climate condition, whereas 'drought' describes a temporary event.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'arere,' meaning 'to be dry.' It has remained virtually unchanged in meaning for over two thousand years.
Word relationships
- dry: Dry is the common word; arid is more formal and implies a severe lack of moisture.
- parched: Parched implies a temporary, extreme thirst or dryness; arid is a permanent state.
- humid: Having a high level of moisture in the air.
- lush: Rich with green, healthy vegetation.
Commonly confused with
- sterile: Sterile means unable to produce life; arid means dry, though aridity often leads to sterility.
Word family
- aridity (noun): The state of being arid.
- aridly (adverb): In an arid manner.
Collocations
- arid climate
- arid region
- semi-arid
Example sentences
- "The Sahara is the world's largest arid desert, receiving less than 10 inches of rain per year." Geography textbook
- "The professor's lecture was so arid that half the class fell asleep within twenty minutes." Metaphorical usage
Memory hook
Think of an 'Arid' desert where you need an 'Air-conditioner' to survive. Permanently dry.
When not to use
Don't use to describe a person's skin or a dry piece of toast; use for climates or landscapes.
Fun facts
- The Atacama Desert in Chile is so arid that some weather stations there have never recorded a single drop of rain.
Related words
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