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dry water

/draɪ ˈwɔtər/ · dry.wa·ter
noun
  1. A situation or condition that is impossible or contradictory. The idea of a 'dry water' festival was quickly dismissed as a joke.
  2. Something that is lacking in a particular quality or substance. The dry water in the pool was a result of the drought that had been affecting the area for months.
idiom
  1. Something that is futile or pointless. Trying to find a needle in a haystack is like trying to find dry water in the ocean.
Did you know? The phrase 'dry water' is often used in a humorous or ironic way to describe a situation that is absurd or impossible, much like the concept of 'jumbo shrimp' or 'bitter sweet'.
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 0 lookups Added Jul 26, 2026