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Something arid is lifeless; it needs more water.
In Latin, aridus means "parched or very dry." We borrowed aridus into English in the 1600s as "arid," and we've kept the meaning the same.
Part of speech:
The formal, semi-common word "arid" is punchier than "desiccated" and more emphatic than "dry." It's perfect for calling attention to any place that's dry, dusty, thirsty, or lifeless.
"Blackwater Draw was an arid, almost vegetation-free jumble of sandy drifts and faces of fractured caliche."
Explain the meaning of "arid" without saying "lacking moisture" or "lacking vitality."
In a novel, Edward Bulwer Lytton wrote that a law student "grappled with his arid studies."
Try to spend 20 seconds or more on the game below. Don’t skip straight to the review—first, let your working memory empty out.
1.
Opposites of ARID include
I hope you're enjoying Make Your Point. It's made with love. I'm Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. |