dry out
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out
Meanings
Become or make completely dry
Why “out”? Something is used until nothing is left. Energy, supply, fire, and time all reach zero.
“Hang the towels to dry out.”
“The paint dried out in the sun.”
Don't confuse with
Dry out means a wet thing becomes fully dry, like a towel or paint. Dry up means the liquid itself disappears, like a river or a well.
Test yourself
“Hang the towels to dry out.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
dry up
A contrast learners often mix up
Become completely dry, leaving no liquid
blow out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Extinguish a flame by blowing
burn out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Become exhausted from overwork; (of a fire) Stop burning because there is no fuel left; (of an electrical device) Stop working because of overheating; Destroy a building or vehicle by fire
chill out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Relax and stop being anxious
close out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
End or settle a process or account
conk out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Stop working suddenly, especially of an engine or machine
die out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
Gradually disappear
fizzle out
Same out pattern: exhaustion
End weakly after a strong start
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