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REFERENCE

dryer

n.
US //ˈdɹaɪɝ// UK //dɹˈaɪɐ// dry·er
  1. 1 clothes dryer (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a machine used to dry clothes after they have been washed.

    a household appliance, typically a tumble dryer, designed to remove moisture from textiles through heat and rotation.

    Example

    The towels are still damp, so I will put them in the dryer for ten minutes.

    Example

    Modern high-efficiency dryers utilize moisture sensors to automatically terminate the cycle once the laundry has reached the desired level of dryness.
    • tumble dryer
    • washing machine
  2. 2 hair dryer (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a small electrical device that blows hot air to dry your hair.

    an electromechanical device that blows ambient or hot air over damp hair to accelerate the evaporation of water.

    Example

    She used a dryer to style her hair before going to the party.

    Example

    The salon invested in professional-grade dryers that operate at lower decibel levels while maintaining high airflow for faster styling.
    • blow dryer
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  1. 3 drying agent (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Technical

    a substance or chemical added to things like paint to help them dry faster.

    a substance, often a chemical catalyst or desiccant, used to promote the removal of water or the hardening of coatings like varnish.

    Example

    The artist added a special dryer to the oil paint so it would harden overnight.

    Example

    In industrial coating applications, a metallic dryer is often incorporated into the resin to facilitate oxidative crosslinking and reduce curing times.
    • desiccant
    • siccative
Etymology 1

From Middle English driere, dreyere (“one who dries”), equivalent to dry + -er (agent noun suffix).

Etymology 2

From dry + -er (comparative suffix).

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