Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

dry powder

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.13 in modern English

Syllables
dry pow-der
IPA
19
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A powder found in a fire extinguisher that is expelled to smother the fire (in contrast with liquid types of extinguisher).

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A powder found in an inhaler that delivers a bronchodilator for antiasthmatic or antiemphysemic purposes (indications).

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Cash (or cash-like securities) kept in reserve in case of need.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see dry, powder; especially, gunpowder kept dry to keep it from spoiling before use.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

Etymology

The financial sense comes by metaphor from the sense of gunpowder kept dry to allow rapid loading of a firearm, as in the expression keep one's powder dry.

Usage

Inflected Forms

dry powders (plural)

Phrases

dry powder inhaler keep one's powder dry

Frequently Paired Words

keep one's powder dry

Questions

What does dry powder mean?
A powder found in a fire extinguisher that is expelled to smother the fire (in contrast with liquid types of extinguisher).
Where does dry powder come from?
The financial sense comes by metaphor from the sense of gunpowder kept dry to allow rapid loading of a firearm, as in the expression keep one's powder dry.

How to pronounce dry powder

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “dry powder”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “dry powder”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “dry powder” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.