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Definition of arid

arid

/ˈær.ɪd/
ar · id
Adverb:aridly
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arid Lexical Profile

arid Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having little or no rain; too dry or barren to support abundant vegetation (of land or a climate).

Example

"Cacti and other succulents have evolved specialized tissues to survive in the arid regions of the American Southwest."

2

Lacking in interest, excitement, or vitality; dull and unimaginative.

Example

"The professor managed to transform what could have been an arid legal treatise into a compelling historical narrative."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

argyranthemum
arhat
aria
arid
aridity
aridly
aridness

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-17th century from Latin aridus ('dry, parched'), derived from the verb arere ('to be dry or parched'), which shares an Indo-European root with 'ardent' and 'ash'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Arid. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/arid
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