Arid
/ˈæɹ.ɪd/ adj
adj ·Common ·High school level
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Very dry.
"The cake was arid."
- 2 Describing a very dry climate. Typically defined as less than 25 cm or 10 inches of rainfall annually.
"Deserts are known for being arid."
- 3 Devoid of value. figuratively
"The millionaire viewed his gift as arid."
Adjective
- 1 lacking vitality or spirit; lifeless wordnet
- 2 lacking sufficient water or rainfall wordnet
Example
More examples"Exporting water from an arid country to the rainy Europe is pure folly."
Etymology
From French aride or directly from Latin āridus (“dry, arid, parched”), compare its synonymous contracted form ardus. Originally from the verb āreo (“I am dry, I am parched”), akin to ārdeō (“I am on fire, I burn”).