drought
DROWT
Drought (noun) means a long period of unusually low rainfall causing water shortages. Example: “Rivers dried up and crops failed during the long summer drought.”
noun
1
A long period of unusually low rainfall causing water shortages.
"Rivers dried up and crops failed during the long summer drought."
"The drought left the reservoir at a record low."
"Farmers struggled through the worst drought in decades."
2
A long stretch without success or achievement, especially in sport.
"The striker's goal drought lasted nearly two months before he finally scored again."
"After a long win drought, the club celebrated a victory at last."
"The team finally ended their trophy drought after ten years."
How to use drought
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA long dry period without enough rain, or, more loosely, a long run without success.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
severe drought
drought conditions
goal drought
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Word forms
- Plural
- droughts
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Rivers dried up and crops failed during the long summer _____.
Etymology
From Old English drūgaþ, related to the word "dry" — a drought is, at its root, simply an extended dry spell.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for drought
See all rhymes for 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.
