Spanish word

sequía

Pronunciation

IPA/seˈkia/

Meaning

  • feminine noundrought

Example

Este año la sequía afectó gravemente las cosechas.

This year the drought severely affected the crops.

Illustration for sequía (drought)

More examples

La comunidad implementó medidas contra la sequía para conservar agua.

The community implemented measures against drought to conserve water.

Core concept

Wilting crops beneath a clear, rainless sky.

Common phrases

  • medidas contra la sequía

    measures against drought

  • sequía meteorológica

    meteorological drought

  • sequía estival

    summer drought

Similar words

escasez: Shortage of needed water or resources, leaving available amounts below what is required.
sequedad: Dryness of ground or atmosphere characterized by low humidity and little dampness.

Definition in Spanish

Situación de escasez de agua debida a la ausencia prolongada de lluvia que puede afectar ecosistemas, la agricultura y el suministro urbano.

Word origin

From Latin siccus 'dry' through the noun siccitas, with the -ia suffix forming a state noun that became Spanish sequía.

Usage tips

  • Sequía is often used metaphorically (for example sequía de ideas for a creative drought), so check context to know whether it means an actual water shortage or a nonliteral lack.

Other meanings

  • dry spellnoun
  • water shortagenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word