drought

noun

ˈdrau̇t 

variants or less commonly drouth

ˈdrau̇th 

1

: a period of dryness especially when prolonged

specifically : one that causes extensive damage to crops or prevents their successful growth

resistant to drought

2

: a prolonged or chronic shortage or lack of something expected or desired

a drought of creativity

droughtiness

ˈdrau̇-tē-nəs 

noun

droughty

ˈdrau̇-tē

adjective

Synonyms

• crunch
• dearth
• deficiency
• deficit
• failure
• famine
• inadequacy
• inadequateness
• insufficiency
• lack
• lacuna
• paucity
• pinch
• poverty
• scantiness
• scarceness
• scarcity
• shortage
• undersupply
• want

Examples of drought in a Sentence

The drought caused serious damage to crops.

a period of drought that lasted several years

Recent Examples on the Web

The Kings were widely criticized for firing Brown, who led them to the playoffs for the first time since 2006, ending the longest playoff drought in NBA history after 16 consecutive losing seasons. —Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025

Then last season, the Lions went 12-5 and snapped their playoff drought, picking up two postseason wins to advance to the NFC Championship Game. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2025

Now the Bears, who last won a postseason game in January 2011, have the third-longest drought in the league without a playoff win, behind only the Dolphins, who last won a playoff game in 2000, and Raiders (January 2003). —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025

Mike Segar | Reuters Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon says there's an end in sight to the multi-year IPO drought. —Jordan Novet, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English drūgath, from drūgian to dry up; akin to Old English drȳge dry — more at dry

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

drought

noun

variants also drouth

ˈdrau̇t 

ˈdrau̇th

: a long period of dry weather

droughty

-ē

adjective