dryer
dryer Lexical Profile
dryer Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A machine or household appliance designed to remove moisture from washed clothing, bedding, and other textiles, usually by tumbling them in heated air.
"After washing the heavy towels, she tossed them into the dryer so they would be warm and fluffy."
Any general apparatus or device used for removing dampness or moisture from a surface, object, or material.
"He stood under the automatic hand dryer in the restroom for nearly a minute before his hands were completely dry."
A substance added to paint, varnish, or ink to accelerate the curing or drying process.
"The artist added a few drops of cobalt dryer to the oil paint to ensure the canvas would be ready for the next layer by morning."
Word Nuance & Usage
The spelling 'dryer' is generally preferred for the appliance or substance that removes moisture, whereas 'drier' is the standard comparative adjective meaning 'more dry'.
• Rhymes for dryer
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the English adjective 'dry' (from Old English 'dryge') combined with the agent suffix '-er'. Its use referring specifically to a mechanical laundry machine dates to the 19th century.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.