dry spell

American  

noun

1. a prolonged period of dry weather.

2. a period of little or no productivity or activity, low income, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of dry spell

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Aduhelm received accelerated Food and Drug Administration approval in 2021, ending a two-decade dry spell without any new Alzheimer’s treatments.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

But Italy has suffered through a dry spell more recently.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

Florida is in the midst of its worst drought in 25 years, but the dry spell actually ranked far down on the list of challenges these bedraggled growers were facing.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

“If we were to transition into a dry spell, it does not take very long for those green and brown grasses to dry out completely.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2026

In a Connecticut summer two weeks without rain is a dry spell and four a drought.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• lack
• scarcity