What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
anhydrous
Example
The anhydrous salt was used in the experiment. [anhydrous: adjective]
Example
The laboratory technician used an anhydrous method to remove water from the sample. [anhydrous: noun]
dry
Example
The clothes were dry after being in the dryer for an hour. [dry: adjective]
Example
I need to dry my hair before leaving the house. [dry: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dry is a more common word than anhydrous and is used in everyday language to describe a variety of situations. Anhydrous, on the other hand, is a more specialized term that is used primarily in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between anhydrous and dry?
Anhydrous is a more formal and technical term, while dry can be used in both formal and informal contexts.