as dry as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as dry as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in similes to compare the dryness of one thing to another, often in a humorous or exaggerated way. Example: "After the long summer, the river was as dry as a bone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

My mouth is as dry as sandpaper.

The New Yorker

It's as dry as a bone.

The New Yorker

Jeter can be as dry as loofah.

The New York Times

Of course, it isn't as dry as all that.

The New Yorker

The flourless chocolate cake was as dry as dust.

The New York Times

The humour is as dry as a bone.

The Guardian - Film

As dry as this might sound, it matters.

The Guardian

This is not as dry as it sounds.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They tend to be as dry as chablis.

The Guardian - Books

The reading list was as dry as an actuarial table.

The New Yorker

But not as dry as America's corn belt this summer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as dry as" to create vivid similes, but ensure the comparison is logical and enhances the descriptive quality of your writing. For example, "His jokes were as dry as the Sahara," effectively conveys a sense of humor.

Common error

While "as dry as" is a common simile, overuse can make your writing sound unoriginal. Vary your descriptions with more specific and creative comparisons or use alternative phrases like "completely arid".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as dry as" functions as a comparative simile, used to emphasize the dryness of something by comparing it to a notably dry object or substance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as dry as" is a versatile simile used to vividly describe dryness by comparing something to a well-known dry object or substance. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and widespread use of this phrase across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While highly common, consider varying your descriptions with synonyms like "bone-dry" or "completely arid" to avoid cliché. Whether it's describing humor "as dry as" sandpaper or land "as dry as" a bone, the phrase effectively conveys a sense of extreme dryness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bone-dry

Highlights extreme dryness, focusing on the internal lack of moisture.

parched

Focuses on the state of being thirsty or dried out due to heat.

like a desert

Compares the dryness to a desert environment.

completely arid

Emphasizes the total absence of moisture; more formal.

arid

Describes a landscape or climate lacking rainfall.

dessicated

Implies a thorough drying process, often used in scientific contexts.

extremely dehydrated

Highlights the state of having lost a significant amount of water.

lacking moisture

A more literal way of describing the absence of water.

drought-stricken

Implies a prolonged period of dryness causing significant impact.

without humidity

Focuses on the absence of water vapor in the air.

FAQs

How can I use "as dry as" in a sentence?

You can use "as dry as" to compare the dryness of something to another thing. For example, "The desert air was "as dry as" dust" or "His humor was "as dry as" sandpaper".

What are some alternatives to saying "as dry as"?

Alternatives include "bone-dry", "completely arid", or "parched", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "as dry as" or "so dry as"?

"As dry as" is the standard and more common construction for similes. "So dry as" is grammatically correct but less frequently used in modern English.

What does it mean when something is described as "as dry as a bone"?

Describing something as "as dry as a bone" means it is extremely dry, lacking any moisture whatsoever. It's a common idiom to emphasize extreme dryness.