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dry off

A2 neutral separable both
In simple words

To get dry or to make something dry after it has been wet.

Literal meaning: To remove ('off') moisture so something becomes dry — fully transparent.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To remove surface moisture from a person, animal, or object, typically using a towel or cloth.

"She grabbed a towel and dried off the puppy after its bath."

Grammar: separable
2 A2 neutral

To become dry after being wet, without specifying a method.

"Come inside and dry off — you're soaking wet from the rain."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Used both transitively ('dry off the dog') and intransitively ('let me dry off first'). Very common in everyday spoken English. Often refers to drying the body after swimming or bathing.

Commonly used with

towel hair hands dog dishes clothes

Forms

Base
dry off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
dries off
he/she/it
Past simple
dried off
yesterday
Past participle
dried off
have + pp
-ing form
drying off
continuous

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