ξηρός
xirós/ksiˈɾos/masculine
Dry in Greek is ξηρός (xirós), used for things like a dry climate or dry wine. If unsure, use ξηρός. Wiktionary also lists στεγνός (stegnós).
Meaning: free from liquid or moisture (adj)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ξηρός | xirós | /ksiˈɾos/ | masculine |
| στεγνός | stegnós | masculine |
ξηρός οίνος is the standard term for dry wine, as opposed to sweet. A drought is Ξηρασία.
Which one should you use?
στεγνός also means dry and is the usual word for something that has dried, such as clothes or hair.
Is it said differently in some regions?
ξερός is another word for dry, and it is common in Cyprus.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
ξηρός agrees with its noun, ξηρή for feminine and ξηρό for neuter. The verb στεγνώνω means both to dry something and to become dry.
How do you pronounce it?
ξηρός is pronounced /ksiˈɾos/, romanized xirós, with the stress on the last syllable.
Did you know?
- In Greek, the word for 'dry' can describe a person's personality. Someone described as ξηρός is seen as blunt, curt or lacking in emotional warmth.
- The Ancient Greek root of στεγνός is believed to be linked to the concept of 'covering' or 'sheltering', as something dry is often something covered from the rain.
- Greek distinguishes between 'dry' as a natural state, like a desert, using ξηρός and 'dry' as a result of a process, like laundry, using στεγνός.
Examples in context
- το κλίμα είναι πολύ ξηρόThe climate is very dryξηρό is the neuter form, matching κλίμα.
- ξηρός οίνοςDry wineξηρός οίνος is the standard term for dry wine.
- Η έρημος είναι ξηρή.The desert is dry.
- Η ξηρασία πλήττει την περιοχή εδώ και μήνες.The drought has been affecting the area for months.
- Έτρωγα ένα κομμάτι ψωμί και ήταν πολύ στεγνό.I was eating a piece of bread, and it was very dry.
Example conversation
Elena and Giorgos are checking a painting in the living room.
- Ελένη EleniΓιώργος, είναι ξηρός ο πίνακας;Giórgos, eínai xirós o pínakas?Giorgos, is the painting dry?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΌχι, θέλει λίγο ακόμα χρόνο.Óchi, théli lígo akóma chróno.No, it needs a little more time.
- Ελένη EleniΠότε θα είναι τελείως ξηρός;Póte tha eínai telíos xirós?When will it be completely dry?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΠιθανώς μέχρι αύριο το πρωί.Pithanós méchri ávrio to proí.Probably by tomorrow morning.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dry” translations and entries ξηρός, στεγνός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries στεγνός, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
