dry spell
A drawn-out period where the weather has been dry, for an abnormally long timeA drawn-out period where the weather has been dry, for an abnormally long time; shorter and not as severe as a drought.
» The dry spell continued into September.
Meaning
3 sensesA drawn-out period where the weather has been dry, for an abnormally long time; shorter and not as severe as a drought.
(figuratively)A period or time where there is little activity, productivity, low income etc.
(figuratively)A period of time without sexual intercourse.
Examples
4 sentencesThe dry spell continued into September.
A dry spell accounts for the poor crop.
ruПериод засухи повинен в плохом урожае.
deEine Dürreperiode ist für die schlechte Ernte verantwortlich.
Tom catches rainwater in a water butt and uses it to water his garden during dry spells.
deTom fängt Regenwasser in einer Tonne auf, um damit seinen Garten zu wässern, wenn der Regen mal ausbleibt.
It's been a mediocre year for Provencal lavender farmers like Mr. Cassan — unseasonable hail and a dry spell pared their yields.
Translations
3 languagesOrigin
Originated around 1885–1890, from dry + spell (“a period of time”). Compare cold spell.Originated around 1885–1890, from dry + spell (“a period of time”). Compare cold spell.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
plural: dry spells| Singular | dry spell |
|---|---|
| Plural | dry spells |
regular