arid
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
having very little rain; too dry to support many plants.
characterised by a severe lack of available water, specifically a climate with insufficient rainfall to support most vegetation.
Simple“The desert has an arid climate where only a few types of cactus can grow.”
In context“The region's arid conditions have forced local farmers to invest heavily in sophisticated irrigation systems to maintain their crops during the summer months.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
boring and lacking any excitement, interest, or new ideas.
lacking in interest, excitement, or creative vitality; figuratively dry and lifeless.
Simple“The professor gave an arid speech that was full of facts but had no personality.”
In context“Critics dismissed the novel as an arid academic exercise, noting that its technical perfection could not compensate for its lack of emotional depth.”
Antonyms
From French aride or directly from Latin āridus (“dry, arid, parched”), compare its synonymous contracted form ardus. Originally from the verb āreo (“I am dry, I am parched”), akin to ārdeō (“I am on fire, I burn”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.