What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dried
Example
I dried my clothes on the clothesline outside. [dried: past tense]
Example
The fruit was dried in the sun to preserve it for later. [dried: adjective]
dehydrated
Example
The company dehydrated the vegetables to make them last longer. [dehydrated: verb]
Example
She felt dizzy and weak from being dehydrated after her long run. [dehydrated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dried is more commonly used than dehydrated in everyday language, especially when referring to food preservation. Dehydrated is more formal and less commonly used, but is more specific in its meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dried and dehydrated?
Dehydrated is a more formal word than dried, which is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
