quite dry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite dry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks moisture or is not engaging, such as food, weather, or a presentation. Example: "The cake turned out quite dry, and I wish I had added more frosting to improve its texture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Food

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Disney's movie pipeline is quite dry.

The New York Times

It looked quite dry [on Monday].

The Guardian - Sport

When it looks quite dry, it's ready.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(Really?) though admits they were quite dry.

The Guardian

Arctic char, however, was overdone and quite dry.

The New York Times

You sound, I have to say, quite dry and serious.

The Guardian - Film

By the time it reaches the peaks and stops climbing, the air is quite dry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bisol D.O.C. Crede Brut NV $14 ** Not quite dry, with citrus and floral flavors.

The New York Times - Food

The result ("quite dry") was not helped by its wonky and pale appearance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If it is still quite dry, add a little of the garlic oil.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You want the bread quite dry and crisp so it can be broken into bite-size pieces.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider stronger synonyms if "quite dry" seems too mild, such as "arid" or "desiccated", depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "quite dry" to describe situations that are merely understated or subtle. While it can describe a lack of humor or emotion, ensure the context genuinely implies a significant deficiency, not just a moderate one. Otherwise, consider alternatives like "understated" or "restrained".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite dry" primarily functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, used to describe nouns. It indicates a moderate degree of dryness, either literally (lacking moisture) or figuratively (lacking interest). Ludwig AI highlights this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

25%

Food

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite dry" is a common and grammatically sound adjectival phrase used to describe a moderate lack of moisture or interest. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, lifestyle, and food-related content, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. While interchangeable with alternatives like "fairly arid" or "rather parched", users should be mindful of overuse and ensure the context warrants its specific level of dryness. Its versatility makes it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary, provided it is wielded with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly arid

Replaces "dry" with "arid", emphasizing lack of moisture; "fairly" is synonymous with "quite".

rather parched

Substitutes "dry" with "parched", suggesting extreme dryness; "rather" is synonymous with "quite".

somewhat desiccated

Replaces "dry" with "desiccated", indicating thorough drying; "somewhat" is synonymous with "quite".

moderately dehydrated

Emphasizes the removal of water; "moderately" is a synonym for "quite".

a bit moistureless

Uses "moistureless" instead of "dry", directly stating the absence of moisture; "a bit" replaces "quite".

relatively rainless

Focuses on the absence of rain, suitable for describing weather or climate; "relatively" is used instead of "quite".

considerably uninteresting

Shifts the meaning from literal dryness to figurative dryness (lack of engagement); "considerably" is a substitute for "quite".

noticeably dull

Replaces "dry" with "dull", implying a lack of excitement or interest; "noticeably" is a synonym for "quite".

plainly boring

Uses "boring" to express a lack of interest, replacing the literal sense of "dry"; "plainly" substitutes "quite".

remarkably austere

Employs "austere" to suggest simplicity and lack of embellishment, analogous to dryness; "remarkably" replaces "quite".

FAQs

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

You can use "quite dry" to describe something lacking moisture, such as "The air in the desert is "quite dry"", or to describe something uninteresting, as in "The lecture was "quite dry"".

What's the difference between "quite dry" and "very dry"?

"Quite dry" suggests a moderate level of dryness, while "very dry" indicates a higher degree of dryness. The choice depends on the specific level of dryness you want to convey.

Which is correct, "quite dry" or "pretty dry"?

Both "quite dry" and "pretty dry" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The selection depends on personal preference, as they're generally interchangeable.

What can I say instead of "quite dry" when describing a boring presentation?

You can use alternatives like "rather dull", "somewhat uninteresting", or "noticeably boring" depending on the context.