Words / B2

DREYE-uh/ˈdraɪə/

A dryer is a machine that dries clothes (a tumble dryer) or hair (a hairdryer): a tumble dryer; dryer cycle. Drier is a spelling variant and also the comparative of dry; airer is a British non-electric twin. A tumble dryer in the energy table still needs the kWh figure. Mix-up: dryer vs drier (comparative); diary; do not write dryer for a brand slogan with no kWh.

Meaning

A machine that dries clothes (a tumble dryer) or hair (a hairdryer).

Examples

• “A tumble dryer in the energy table still needs the kWh figure, not a brand slogan.”
• “A hairdryer featured in the electrical-safety practical, which is the small-appliance sense — still name the wattage.”

Good to know

a tumble / spin dryer; a hairdryer; dryer than (comparative spelling drier). Close: airer. Trap: drier as only “more dry”. DT and physics. A machine for drying clothes or hair — quote kWh or watts.

Near in meaning

airer, hairdryer, tumble dryer

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