parch

Shrivel with heat

Parch means to make extremely dry, typically through heat.

The sun parches the earth during drought.

Crops parch in the fields.

Extended to thirst: I'm parched means desperately needing a drink.

Parched also describes dry-roasting grains or nuts without oil: parched corn.

The word suggests uncomfortable dryness, whether of land, throat, or lips.

dehydration

dry

Free from moisture

desiccateRemove all moisture
shrivelContract from dryness
witherDry and decay

wilt · crisp · brittle · husk · chapped · flaky · leathery · wizened · crackled · sere

heat

sun

Earth's primary star

fireCombustion with flames
burnDamage by heat
bakeCook using dry heat

scorch · blaze · sear · char · toast · broil · sizzle · swelter · heatwave · furnace

aridity

desert

To leave behind completely

droughtProlonged water scarcity
sandFine rock particles
dunesWind-formed sand ridges

wasteland · cracked · dusty · badlands · steppe · savannah · barren · desolate · dryness · rainless

thirst

water

Clear essential liquid

drinkConsumable liquid
quenchSatisfy or extinguish
slakeSatisfy a desire fully

hydrate · guzzle · gulp · swig · sip · craving · dryness · thirsty · dehydrated · cottonmouth

preserve

jerky

Cured meat snack

biltongCured dried meat snack
raisinsDried grape snack
sun-driedDehydrated by daylight

cured · smoking · dehydrator · desiccant · stockfish · pemmican · apricots · figs · dates · prunes

Categories

dry outdry, dry out, dehydrate, desiccate, evaporate
surface worksmooth, roughen, polish, buff, sand

Opposites

moisture level

parchsoak

Saturate with liquid

drench · saturate · deluge · flood · inundate

Phrases

parched earthSeverely dried-out ground
parched landExtremely dry territory
parched soilExtremely dry earth

Family

parched, parching, parches

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G