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

Flash droughts are extreme droughts that develop rapidly due to lack of precipitation and dry conditions in the atmosphere. —Lauren Lowman, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025

Years of severe drought in Barcelona resulting in water restrictions for residents in 2024, but none for tourists, also exacerbated hard feelings. —Chadd Scott, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

The exceptional drought is concentrated in Western Texas. —Anna Skinner, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

San Diego County is experiencing extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 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

Rhymes for drought

• bout
• clout
• doubt
• flout
• gout
• grout
• kraut
• lout
• out
• pout
• rout
• scout

Kids Definition

drought

noun

variants also drouth

ˈdrau̇t 

ˈdrau̇th

: a long period of dry weather

droughty

-ē

adjective