dry goods
Definition
- Noun (plural):
- Textiles and related items: "dry goods" refers to fabrics, clothing, sewing supplies, and related merchandise (e.g., thread, buttons, ribbons). This is the primary meaning in American English.
- Non-perishable food items: In British English, "dry goods" can also mean staple food products that are not moist or liquid, such as grains, flour, sugar, and coffee.
Usage Examples
Textiles and related items:
- The store sells dry goods like cotton, wool, and silk. (The shop offers fabrics for sewing.)
- She bought dry goods at the haberdashery, including needles and lace. (She purchased sewing supplies.)
Non-perishable food items:
- We stocked up on dry goods such as rice, beans, and pasta. (We bought staple foods that do not spoil quickly.)
Advanced Usage
"Dry goods store": a shop that specializes in selling textiles, clothing, and sewing materials.
- The old town had a dry goods store that supplied everything from buttons to bolts of cloth. (A traditional shop for fabric and sewing needs.)
"Dry goods" in inventory contexts: used to separate non-perishable food from fresh or refrigerated items.
- The warehouse stored dry goods on the upper shelves to keep them away from moisture. (Non-perishable food items kept in a dry environment.)
Variants and Related Words
Dry-goods (adj): relating to textiles or non-perishable food.
- The dry-goods section of the department store is on the second floor. (The area selling fabrics and related items.)
Dry goods dealer (n): a person or business that sells dry goods.
- The dry goods dealer ordered new shipments of linen and velvet. (A merchant of textiles.)
Synonyms
- Textiles: fabrics, cloth, drapery (for the American sense).
- Staples: provisions, groceries (for the British sense of non-perishable food).
Related Idioms
- "Dry goods" does not commonly appear in idioms, but it is used in fixed expressions like "dry goods trade" (the business of selling fabrics or non-perishable foods).