Dryden

American  

[drahyd-n] / ˈdraɪd n /

noun

1. John, 1631–1700, English poet, dramatist, and critic.

---

Dryden British  

/ ˈdraɪdən /

noun

1. John. 1631–1700, English poet, dramatist, and critic of the Augustan period, commonly regarded as the chief exponent of heroic tragedy. His major works include the tragedy All for Love (1677), the verse satire Absalom and Achitophel (1681), and the Essay of Dramatick Poesie (1668)

---

Other Word Forms

• Drydenian adjective
• Drydenic adjective

Example Sentences

Asked if that was how she felt at the time, Dryden said: "Maybe not at the time, but when other things started coming out afterwards."

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

Dryden said Milne had told her he "could not hold on to her" and was "clearly in shock" after the incident.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

Dryden, 41, said Milne claimed to have seen Kimberley "on the bridge" while driving down the Kingsway road.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

In the next concert March 25, Handel’s “Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day,“ a setting of poetry by John Dryden, took even fewer risks, at least for anyone with a love for music.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2025

“Yes, the plays were the best. Wonderful ones by Dryden and Shakespeare and Otway.”

From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare