French Conversation · Level 157
30 words
French word
dessécher
Pronunciation
IPA/deseʃe/
Meaning
- verbdry out
Example
La chaleur dessèche la peau.
The heat dries out the skin.
More examples
Après la plage, le sel dessèche la peau.
After the beach, the salt dries out the skin.
Core concept
Heat pulling water from skin, plants, or food until their surface loses softness and freshness.
Common phrases
dessécher la peau
dry out the skin
dessécher les lèvres
dry out the lips
se dessécher
dry out
Similar words
sécher: To dry something until no moisture remains.
essuyer: To dry a surface by wiping away moisture with a cloth or towel.
Definition in French
Faire perdre de l'humidité à quelque chose pour qu'il devienne sec.
Word origin
The modern verb preserves the older formation dé- plus sécher, whose Latin source is siccare; the prefix gives the idea of removing moisture.
Usage tips
- Dessécher takes a direct object in La chaleur dessèche la peau, whereas the pronominal se dessécher means that the subject dries out.
Other meanings
- dehydrateverb
- dry upverb
- witherverb
Opposites
- hydraterhydrateverb
- humidifierhumidifyverb
Related words
- dessèchementdrying outnoun
- desséchédried-outadjective
- desséchantdryingadjective