arid

[ar-id]

adjective

1. being without moisture; extremely dry; parched.

   arid land;

   an arid climate.

2. barren or unproductive because of lack of moisture.

   arid farmland.

3. lacking interest or imaginativeness; sterile.

   an arid treatment of an exciting topic.

   Synonyms: pedantic, jejune, uninspiring, uninspired, vapid, dreary, tedious, dull
   Antonyms: imaginative, spirited, exciting, interesting, lively

arid

/ ˈærɪd, əˈrɪdɪtɪ /

adjective

1. having little or no rain; dry; parched with heat

2. devoid of interest

arid

1. Very dry, especially having less precipitation than is needed to support most trees or woody plants. Deserts have arid climates.

Other Word Forms

• aridity noun
• aridness noun
• aridly adverb
• hyperarid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of arid¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from French or directly from Latin āridus, equivalent to ār(ēre) “to be dry” + -idus adjective suffix; -id ⁴; ash ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of arid¹

C17: from Latin āridus, from ārēre to be dry

Synonym Study

See dry.

Example Sentences

Experts say wildfires occur naturally in arid savannah and believe occasional wildfires are a necessary part of keeping ecosystems healthy - provided they are managed closely.

From BBC

Much of the nation’s data center construction boom is taking place in arid states, including California, Arizona and Texas, where strains on water have been mounting amid dry conditions and rising temperatures.

From Los Angeles Times

Today, Mars is a cold and arid desert.

From BBC

The draining of groundwater, often invisible, hides how much arid regions are drawing down their reserve accounts, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

"Private industries are being prioritised in these arid zones," she says.

From BBC

Related Words

• barren 
• bone-dry 
• desert 
• dusty 
• parched