dry spell
Americannoun
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a prolonged period of dry weather.
-
a period of little or no productivity or activity, low income, etc.
Etymology
Origin of dry spell
First recorded in 1885–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After intense winter rains, March brought heat and a dry spell.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026
The sluggish IPO pace has contributed to a continued dry spell in venture capital and a backlog of older VC-backed companies that remain in venture portfolios.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025
That has led to torrential rains over a short span of time, often after a prolonged dry spell – unlike in the past when monsoon showers were spread evenly over four months.
From BBC • Oct. 11, 2025
More English regions are expected to join the North West and Yorkshire in an official drought on Tuesday after yet another hot and dry spell of weather.
From BBC • Jul. 14, 2025
The water level would rise after a rainstorm and fall during a dry spell.
From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
