dripping wet

USAGE SUMMARY

'dripping wet' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very wet, as if it had just come out of a body of water or had been soaked. For example, "She stepped out of the lake, dripping wet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was dripping wet".

The New Yorker

"It looks like paint dripping wet".

The New Yorker

Ms. Garcia stood dripping wet in her clothes.

The New York Times

He hid in a bush, dripping wet and extremely cold, for four hours.

The New York Times

"This is Mother Ganga!" said Ramesh Varma, 23, dripping wet in his underwear after a dip.

The New York Times

"Get that thing out of here," one said, "It's dripping wet".

The New York Times

Hmmm?" said his daughter, Amanda, 10, dripping wet in her bathing suit.

The New York Times

Later, well-heeled customers came and went, with quilted jackets and handbags dripping wet.

The New York Times - Food

I imagine a mother and daughter with dripping wet hairrunning down the beach holding hands.

The New Yorker

A few minutes later, Simpson, Galanter, and Lee, all dripping wet, came into the clubhouse.

The New Yorker

In fact, he was right out of the shower, dripping wet and naked.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dripping wet" to vividly describe something that has just emerged from water or has been heavily soaked. It conveys a strong sense of wetness and immediacy.

Common error

Avoid using "dripping wet" in highly formal or professional writing where a more neutral term like "thoroughly wet" or "saturated" might be more appropriate. The phrase can sometimes sound informal or overly descriptive.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dripping wet" is as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe its state of extreme wetness. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples, showcasing its descriptive power in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

30%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

8%

Social Media

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dripping wet" is a commonly used adjective phrase to describe something thoroughly soaked. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides ample examples of its use in diverse contexts ranging from news media to wikis. While generally neutral to informal, its vivid descriptive nature makes it effective in conveying a strong sense of wetness. For more formal settings, alternatives like "thoroughly wet" or "saturated" might be more suitable. With a high frequency of use and clear communicative purpose, "dripping wet" remains a valuable phrase for expressing extreme wetness in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sopping wet

Emphasizes a higher degree of wetness, suggesting the item is completely saturated.

soaked to the bone

Highlights that the wetness has penetrated deeply, affecting everything.

drenched

Implies a thorough soaking, often unexpectedly or suddenly.

soggy

Describes a state of being saturated and heavy with water, often unpleasantly.

saturated

Indicates a state where something is holding as much liquid as possible.

wringing wet

Suggests the item is so wet that water can be squeezed out of it.

waterlogged

Indicates being completely filled or saturated with water to the point of being heavy and difficult to manage.

awash

Describes something covered or flooded with water.

soaked through

Highlights that the wetness has permeated the entire item.

completely wet

A more general term indicating full wetness without specifying the manner.

FAQs

How can I use "dripping wet" in a sentence?

You can use "dripping wet" to describe something that is extremely wet, as if it has just been submerged in water. For example, "The dog came inside, "dripping wet" after playing in the rain".

What's a more formal alternative to "dripping wet"?

In formal contexts, consider using "thoroughly wet", "saturated", or "soaked" as alternatives to "dripping wet". These options provide a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is it correct to say something is "dripping wet" or "soaking wet"?

Both "dripping wet" and "soaking wet" are correct and commonly used phrases. "Soaking wet" /s/soaking+wet might imply a more complete saturation, while "dripping wet" emphasizes the water actively falling from the object.

What does "dripping wet" emphasize compared to just "wet"?

"Dripping wet" emphasizes the intensity and abundance of water present. While "wet" simply indicates the presence of moisture, "dripping wet" suggests a greater degree of saturation and the active shedding of water.