air-dry
air-dry — verb
- air-drypresent simple I / you / we / they
- air-drieshe / she / it
- air-driedpast simple
- air-drying-ing form
1. to leave something wet in the open air until it is dry; or for something wet to
to leave something wet in the open air until it is dry; or for something wet to become dry when left in the air
After washing her silk scarf, Gabriela hung it on a wooden hanger to air-dry it.
air-dry + object (transitive)
The pottery studio lets each piece air-dry for at least two days before firing.
Sahil always air-dries his wool jumpers because the machine makes them shrink.
After the camping trip, Priya washed the tent and hung it on the clothesline to air-dry before packing it away.
Marta painted two coats onto the fence boards and left them to air-dry overnight.
- dry naturally
a more general phrase that includes air-drying but also other methods
- line-dry
specifically for clothes hung on a washing line outdoors
- drip-dry
for clothes that are hung wet without being wrung out first
- tumble-dry
to dry in a machine using hot air
- blow-dry
to dry with a hand-held hot-air device
文法句型
air-dry + object
air-dry (no object)
用法筆記
Frequently used in instructions and how-to guides. Often paired with ‘leave’ or ‘let’: ‘leave it to air-dry’, ‘let it air-dry’.
常見錯誤
❗ 'I will air-dry the clothes inside the closed cupboard.' ✅ 'I will air-dry the clothes on the balcony where air can move.' — air-drying needs open air movement, not an enclosed space.
❗ 'I air-dried the carpet with a hair dryer.' ✅ 'I dried the carpet with a hair dryer.' — using a machine is the opposite of air-drying.
air-dry — adjective
1. used for materials like wood, clay, or paint that are left in the air until they
used for materials like wood, clay, or paint that are left in the air until they contain no more moisture
The carpenter tested whether the oak boards were air-dry before applying the oil finish.
air-dry before [process step]
Air-dry clay is much lighter to carry than fresh clay straight from the bag.
Kian checked the plaster on the wall; it felt cool and damp, so it was not yet air-dry.
Only use air-dry firewood indoors, because green wood creates too much smoke.
Grandpa stacked the air-dry firewood near the stove so it would be ready for winter.
- seasoned
specifically for wood that has been dried over time for use as timber or fuel
- completely dry
everyday language for something with no moisture left
文法句型
air-dry + noun
用法筆記
This sense is mostly found in craft, construction, and industrial contexts. It describes a measurable condition, not a subjective feeling of dryness.
常見錯誤
❗ 'The towel is air-dry after hanging for an hour.' ✅ 'The towel is completely dry after hanging for an hour.' — ‘air-dry’ as an adjective is used for materials like wood or clay, not for everyday items like towels.