parched

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "parched" is correct and usable in written English.
It typically describes something that has been dried out or is extremely thirsty. For example, "After walking along the desert for hours, we were all parched."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Economist

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Morricone revolutionised the way music was used in westerns, creating a wild west soundscape of gunshots, eerie whistling, twanging guitars and dissonant harmonicas that matched the unsettling heat and tension of Leone's parched desert landscape, and its heroes and villains, portrayed through long shots and close-up cinematography.

The Guardian - Music

Olivier chose to film the Battle of Bosworth Field in Spain, where the parched brown grass failed to resemble the green fields of Leicestershire.

The Guardian - Film

Fertile fields famed for their melons, wheat and barley are now parched wastelands after irrigation canals were destroyed by shelling.

The Guardian

We'd already run 70 miles over three stages - through the stifling heat of the Gobi Desert; scrambling down and up countless dry riverbeds worn into the parched, hauntingly desolate landscape.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The monsoon, predicted to hit southern India's coastline on 31 May, will bring relief from the high temperatures, but it will not reach the parched north of the country for several weeks.

The Guardian

To get here, to the Garden, Mr Modi has spent decades roaring himself hoarse thousands of times before crowds of peasants in parched fields.

The Economist

TO A parched mammoth or giant sloth, they must have looked heaven-sent: mirror pools of water waiting to slake a thirst.

The Economist

But, towards the end of AP's monsoon rainy season, the field was parched and bare.

The Economist

Both lack of rain and extreme heat have conspired to create the worst drought for 55 years with more dry weather forecast in the weeks to come.Across America farmland is parched, corn is wilting, reservoirs are low, rivers are running dry and wildfires have broken out in Utah and Colorado.

The Economist

Yet the channel's inauguration was the most notable achievement so far of what, in the coming years, is intended to become a far more grandiose diversion scheme: bringing water from the Yangzi basin to the parched north, along channels stretching more than 1,000km.China's leaders have reason to be sheepish.

The Economist

THE mighty Colorado river, which traverses America's parched south-west before (these days) petering out on the way to the Gulf of California, has inspired great engineering minds to devise ways of harnessing its waters, and fine legal minds to construct rules governing its use.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing landscapes, use "parched" to vividly convey the impact of drought and lack of water, such as "parched fields" or "parched earth".

Common error

Avoid using "parched" to describe something that is only temporarily dry or easily remedied with a quick drink. "Parched" implies a more severe and prolonged state of dryness.

Linguistic Context

The word "parched" functions primarily as an adjective, describing a state of extreme dryness or thirst. As seen in Ludwig, it modifies nouns such as "land", "fields", or "throat" to emphasize the severity of their dryness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

The Economist

15%

The Guardian

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "parched" is a versatile adjective primarily used to describe extreme dryness or intense thirst. Ludwig examples confirm that it appears frequently in news and media, as well as publications like The Economist and The Guardian, often to vividly depict environmental conditions or states of physical need. The usage analysis underscores its grammatical correctness and frequency, supported by numerous real-world examples. Understanding its connotations and appropriate contexts ensures precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very thirsty

Highlights the feeling of needing a drink.

thirsting

Similar to thirsty but it implies a strong desire.

extremely dry

Focuses on the state of dryness, omitting the sensation of thirst.

severely dehydrated

Emphasizes the medical or biological condition of lacking water.

bone-dry

Uses a more emphatic and informal term for extreme dryness.

as dry as a bone

An idiomatic expression emphasizing extreme dryness.

arid landscape

Specifically refers to a dry geographical area.

desiccated environment

Implies a loss of moisture over time, often in a scientific context.

drought-stricken

Describes a place affected by a long period of dryness.

waterless region

Highlights the absence of water in a certain area.

FAQs

How can I use "parched" in a sentence?

You can use "parched" to describe something extremely dry or someone very thirsty. For example, "The land was parched after the long drought" or "I'm parched; could I have some water?"

What can I say instead of "parched"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely dry", "very thirsty", or "desiccated" depending on the context.

When should I use "parched" versus "thirsty"?

"Parched" often implies a more intense and prolonged state of thirst or dryness than simply "thirsty". Use "parched" when the dryness is severe and has lasted for a while.

Is it correct to say something is "parched of capital"?

Yes, "parched of capital" is a metaphorical usage of "parched", meaning lacking or deficient in capital. This usage is less common but can be found in formal writing.