drip-dry

[ adjective noun drip-drahy; verb drip-drahy, -drahy ]

adjective

1. wash-and-wear.

verb (used without object)

, drip-dried, drip-dry·ing.

1. (of a cloth item) to dry into a desired form and shape when hung dripping wet after washing.

verb (used with object)

, drip-dried, drip-dry·ing.

1. to hang (a cloth item) after washing while it is dripping wet and allow it to dry, especially in anticipation of its assuming its desired form and shape during the drying process.

noun

, plural drip-dries.

1. a garment or other cloth item that can be washed and drip-dried.

drip-dry

adjective

1. designating clothing or a fabric that will dry relatively free of creases if hung up when wet

verb

1. to dry or become dry thus

Word History and Origins

Origin of drip-dry¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

“One good thing about the ski crowd,” she remarked, “they may track in snow, but they don’t bother to drip-dry a lot of clothes and clutter up the bathrooms.”

From Literature

Now she opted for jeans, “drip-dry” T-shirts and army boots.

From Washington Post

Instead, do a separate socks-and-underwear laundry load and invest in an octopus drying contraption to drip-dry them and prepare to pair with no stragglers.

From The Guardian

When I wrote, “You’ve got your nuclear boots / and your drip-dry glove,” I envisioned the boots and gloves as a cool ’50s fashion statement.

From Wall Street Journal

I worked there, standing in a drip-dry white coat with a picture of a little Italian man and “Mr REAlly Good” written on the pocket.

From The Guardian