sec
/sɛk/
The English word 'dry' is translated into French as sec.
The adjective sec is used to describe something that is free from liquid or moisture. You may also encounter the phrase à sec, which describes something that is completely depleted or empty of liquid, such as a well or a bank account.
Meaning: free from liquid or moisture (adj)
Which one should you use?
While sec is the standard term, aride is a formal term often used to describe dry, barren landscapes and desséché is a formal term used to describe something that is extremely dry or dehydrated.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine singular form is sèche, the masculine plural form is secs and the feminine plural form is sèches. Related to this is the verb sécher, which means to become dry or to make something dry and the phrase faire sécher, which means to make something dry.
How do you pronounce it?
/sɛk/
Did you know?
- The verb sécher is also used by students to mean 'to skip class' or 'to play hooky', playing on the idea of leaving one's post or duties.
- In French, a wine is described as sec if it lacks residual sugar, but a 'dry' champagne is actually slightly sweeter than a brut one.
- In certain French dialects, describing a person as sec can refer to them being lean and wiry, rather than just describing their personality.
Examples in context
- Il fait très sec.It's very dry.This sentence uses sec to describe the weather or environment.Tatoeba #1617529 by sacredceltic, translation #1615217 by Spamster
- L'air est sec ici.The air is dry in here.This sentence uses sec to describe the air.Tatoeba #12096764 by zogwarg, translation #6271281 by CK
- Le puits est à sec.The well is dry.This sentence uses sec to describe a well that is empty of liquid.Tatoeba #1071028 by sacredceltic, translation #49620 by Dejo
- Un désert secA dry desert
- Un vin secA dry wine
- Le Sahara est une région arideThe Sahara is a dry region
- Une plante desséchéeA dried-out plant
- Il fait très sec aujourd'hui.It's very dry today.
- J'ai les lèvres desséchées.My lips are dry.
- Le désert est un endroit aride.The desert is a dry place.
- Ce gâteau est vraiment sec.This cake is really dry.
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan is helping Manon in the laundry room.
- ManonEst-ce que ce linge est sec ?Is this laundry dry?
- NathanNon, il est encore un peu humide.No, it is still a bit damp.
- ManonLe sol est sec maintenant.The floor is dry now.
- NathanParfait, je peux passer l'aspirateur.Perfect, I can vacuum.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dry” translations and entries sec, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
