drip-dry

American  

[drip-drahy, drip-drahy, -drahy] / ˈdrɪpˌdraɪ, ˈdrɪpˈdraɪ, -ˌdraɪ /

adjective

1. wash-and-wear.

---

verb (used without object)

drip-dried, drip-drying

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-drying

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 British  

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

Etymology

Origin of drip-dry

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

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 • Aug. 21, 2019

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 • Dec. 22, 2016

You could just sort of drip-dry it and shake it.”

From New York Times • Oct. 15, 2012

It's not Sir John Suckling, but it sure beats Seger's pastilles about star-crossed lovers and drip-dry romances.

From Time Magazine Archive

“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 "Ralph S. Mouse" by Beverly Cleary