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Added 7 October 2026

arid

/ˈæɹɪd/ adjective

In Latin: āridus, inaquōsus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about arid at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Very dry.
The cake was arid.
Describing a very dry climate. Typically defined as less than 25 cm or 10 inches of rainfall annually.
Deserts are known for being arid.
Devoid of value.
The millionaire viewed his gift as arid.

Origin

From French aride or directly from Latin āridus (“dry, arid, parched”), compare its synonymous contracted form ardus. Originally from the verb āreo (“to be dry, to be parched”), akin to ārdeō (“to be on fire, to burn”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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