Dryer

ˈdraɪər

nounBeginner📊CommonObject
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A machine used to dry clothes or other items.

ˈdraɪər

nounneutralBeginner
Object

A machine used to remove moisture from something, typically clothes.

I put my wet clothes in the dryer.

💡 Simply: Imagine you washed your favorite shirt and now it's all wet. The dryer is like a magical box that spins the shirt around with hot air to make it dry, like when you're out in the sun on a warm day, only faster!

👶 For kids: A dryer is like a box that makes your clothes dry after you wash them.

More Examples

2

The dryer is broken; my clothes are still damp.

3

Make sure to clean the lint trap in the dryer regularly to prevent fires.

How It's Used

Household

"The clothes dryer tumbled the wet clothes until they were warm and dry."

2

Any device or apparatus designed to remove moisture.

ˈdraɪər

nounneutralmedium
Object

Any device or apparatus that dries something.

The company uses a specialized industrial dryer for its products.

💡 Simply: Not just for clothes! A dryer can be any machine designed to get rid of moisture. For example, a grain dryer keeps the crops from getting ruined.

👶 For kids: A machine that dries things like clothes or plants.

More Examples

2

This dryer removes excess moisture from the material.

3

They installed a new food dryer to preserve the harvest.

How It's Used

Industrial

"The grain dryer was essential to prevent spoilage."

Tip:Think of a machine that removes wetness from things.

From 'dry' + '-er', denoting an instrument or device that dries something. The suffix '-er' is a common agent noun suffix.

The term 'dryer' emerged with the advent of mechanized methods for drying, particularly in the industrial revolution, with earlier versions relying on natural drying processes. Its use increased alongside the development of household appliances.

Memory tip

Think of a machine that takes the wet out of your clothes.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"The root word 'dry' comes from the Old English 'drȳge', meaning 'without moisture'. The suffix '-er' indicates an agent or instrument."

clothes dryertumble dryerindustrial dryerhair dryergrain dryer

Common misspellings

drier

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written