dried goods

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   Foods that have had the water removed so they keep for a long time, such as rice, beans, or dried fruit.

   Grammar: Always plural; takes a plural verb (The dried goods are stored here).

   Patterns

   • store dried goods
   • a bag of dried goods
   • dried goods section

   We keep the dried goods, like rice and lentils, on the bottom shelf.

   The shop sells dried goods such as nuts, raisins, and pasta.

   Before the long trip they packed dried goods that would not spoil.

2. 2nounpluralbusiness

   Goods other than food that are not liquid, such as packaged or bulk items shipped together.

   Grammar: Plural and used mainly in trade or shipping; the singular dried good is not used.

   Patterns

   • ship dried goods
   • handle dried goods
   • a shipment of dried goods

   The warehouse handles dried goods such as flour, tea, and soap.

   Dried goods must be kept away from damp during shipping.

Common combinations

store dried goods

Store dried goods in airtight containers to keep insects out.

a section for dried goods

The supermarket has a whole section for dried goods.

dried goods such as rice and beans

Dried goods such as rice and beans are cheap and last for months.

a shipment of dried goods

A shipment of dried goods arrived at the port yesterday.

Synonyms and how they differ

dry goods

In American English this often means cloth and clothing rather than food, so it is not a safe swap.

nonperishable food

A more formal phrase that stresses long storage rather than the drying process.

Opposites

Word family

dried adjective

Having had water removed, as in dried fruit.

dry verb

To remove water from food so it keeps longer.

Commonly confused: dried goods or dry goods?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “dried goods”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words