drought
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for drought, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A long period of unusually low rainfall causing water shortages.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use drought
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English drūgaþ, related to the word "dry" — a drought is, at its root, simply an extended dry spell.
Full origin of drought →Frequently asked questions
What does “drought” mean?
The word “drought” means a long period of unusually low rainfall causing water shortages. In plain terms, a long dry period without enough rain, or, more loosely, a long run without success.
How do you pronounce “drought”?
“Drought” is pronounced DROWT (/ˈdɹaʊ̯t/ in IPA).
How do you use “drought” in a sentence?
Here is “drought” used in a sentence: “The drought left the reservoir at a record low.”
What part of speech is “drought”?
“Drought” is a noun.
Where does the word “drought” come from?
The word “drought” comes from Old English. From Old English drūgaþ, related to the word "dry" — a drought is, at its root, simply an extended dry spell.
Is “drought” a common word?
“Drought” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “drought” have?
“Drought” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long period of unusually low rainfall causing water shortages.
What is the difference between a drought and a dry spell?
A drought is a long period of unusually low rainfall that causes water shortages, and it is the more serious, longer-lasting term. A dry spell is a shorter, milder stretch of dry weather that does not necessarily lead to the water shortages and lasting effects linked with a drought.
What is the difference between a drought and a famine?
A drought is a long period of very low rainfall that leads to water shortages. A famine is a severe, widespread shortage of food, so a drought can be one cause of a famine by ruining crops, but the two are not the same: one concerns water and rainfall, the other the availability of food.
What is the difference between 'drought' and 'draught'?
These similar-looking words have different meanings. "Drought" means a long period of low rainfall causing water shortages, while "draught" (spelled "draft" in American English) usually means a current of air, or beer served from a cask. Despite the shared letters, they are unrelated in meaning.