aridity

[ uh-rid-i-tee ]

noun

1. the state or quality of being extremely dry:

   Many plant and animal adaptations to withstand the intense aridity of the desert are quite bizarre.

2. the quality of lacking interest, liveliness, or imaginativeness; sterility:

   His writing style is excellent, avoiding the technical aridity of most professional science publications.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aridity¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin āriditāt-, stem of āriditās, equivalent to ārid(us) “dry” ( arid ( def ) ) + -itās -ity ( def )

Example Sentences

A recent study in the journal Nature Climate Change found that severe increases in aridity caused by climate change is drying out frog habitats across the globe.

From Salon

Unsustainable land use also contributes to the aridity problem, with frogs frequently suffering as humans develop their homes for commercial, residential and other uses.

From Salon

The climate pattern could plunge California back into aridity in the months ahead.

From Los Angeles Times

The climate pattern could plunge California back into aridity in the months ahead.

From Los Angeles Times

The climate pattern could plunge California back into aridity in the months ahead.

From Los Angeles Times

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