ENGLISH
REFERENCE

arroyo

n.
C1 Advanced US //ɝˈɔɪoʊ// UK //æɹˈɔɪəʊ// ar·royo

n. a narrow stream or dry riverbed that only flows after it rains. You often see these in dry, rocky areas where water runs quickly after a storm.

n. a narrow stream or dry riverbed that flows only after heavy rainfall. Common in arid and semi-arid regions, it is often characterized by steep banks and a temporary flow of water.


SIMPLE

The arroyo ran with water after the heavy summer storm.

CONTEXTUAL

Hikers often follow the arroyo to find a shortcut through the desert, though the path can be dangerous during flash floods.

COMPLEX

The landscape was defined by a series of deep arroyos, carved by centuries of seasonal rainfall that carved the soft sediment into steep, winding channels.

Origin

Borrowed from Spanish arroyo.

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