dry spell

noun

1. a prolonged period of dry weather.
2. a period of little or no productivity or activity, low income, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dry spell¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Ochoo blamed the region’s loss of tree cover for the long dry spells that had become more common.

From Science News

Because of climate change, the prolonged dry spells of the past 10 years are much warmer and therefore more severe than those that occurred decades ago.

From Washington Post

It can really make up for a little dry spell here or there, but certainly this year with the shortened season, it's great.

From Washington Post

It is just as likely, however, that there will be a long dry spell and the Valley will find itself in a predicament similar to that faced by Seattle when it overrelied on Boeing.

From MIT Technology Review

Without Curry, Doncic has been forced to carry a massive shot-making and playmaking burden, prompting him to settle more often for low-percentage attempts and causing ugly dry spells when he is off the court.

From Washington Post

California, similarly, will take a long time to emerge from this terrible dry spell.

From The Daily Beast

Malcolm Jones goes to the Oklahoma State Fair with a farming family who tell him how they get through the dry spell.

From The Daily Beast

It was an ideal camping place in a dry spell, but not any too desirable in times of high water.

From Project Gutenberg

We've had such a long dry spell, but now we've had rain, a real soaker.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, when that broke, we got heavy rains and hailstorms and floods, and that destroyed what got through the dry spell.

From Project Gutenberg

Don't begin to water your plants in your garden in a dry season unless you can keep on doing so as long as the dry spell lasts.

From Project Gutenberg

It looks as if it has set in for a long dry spell; the country 'll be so we kin git around in it without trouble.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• lack
• scarcity