desiccated crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're stuck on the "desiccated" crossword clue, you've come to the right place. We provide all possible answers, organized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to get you back on track.
Solutions for "desiccated crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
DRY: Lacking moisture or water, a very common short answer for 'desiccated'.
4 Letters
ARID: Extremely dry, often used to describe land or climate, fitting for 'desiccated'.
7 Letters
PARCHED: Dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight, implying a state of being thoroughly desiccated.
10 Letters
DEHYDRATED: Having lost a large amount of water, which is the process of desiccation.
More About "desiccated crossword clue"
"Desiccated" is a word that frequently appears in crosswords, often as a straightforward synonym clue. It refers to something that has had all its moisture removed, typically for preservation or due to extreme environmental conditions. Think of desiccated coconut, which is dried, shredded coconut flesh.
The beauty of crossword clues like "desiccated" lies in their potential for multiple answers depending on the required length. While "DRY" is a very direct and common short answer, longer puzzles might call for more precise or descriptive terms like "PARCHED" or "DEHYDRATED," which convey a more intense or specific state of dryness.
When encountering this clue, consider the broader context of the puzzle. Is it a cryptic clue hinting at something else, or a straightforward definition? For "desiccated," it's usually the latter, making the list of synonyms above your best bet.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Check Cross-References: Always look at intersecting words. If you have a few letters from crossing clues, it can quickly narrow down the possibilities for "desiccated."
- Consider Nuance: While "DRY" is general, "PARCHED" suggests dryness due to heat, and "DEHYDRATED" implies a loss of water from a living organism or substance. The nuance might be key in a trickier puzzle.
- Think of Common Dried Goods: Foods like "desiccated coconut" or "dried fruit" often provide context for how the word is used in everyday language, which can sometimes spark the right answer.
- Count Your Letters Carefully: This is paramount for any crossword. Ensure your chosen answer perfectly fits the number of available squares.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'desiccated' mean in a crossword context?
'Desiccated' means to be thoroughly dried out, or to remove moisture. In crosswords, clues using 'desiccated' will typically point to synonyms for dry, arid, or terms describing a lack of water.
Are there common synonyms for 'desiccated' used in crosswords?
Yes, common synonyms include DRY, ARID, PARCHED, DEHYDRATED, and sometimes WITHERED or SHRUNKEN, depending on the context and length required by the puzzle.
How do I identify the correct length for 'desiccated' clues?
The number of blanks or squares in the crossword grid is your primary indicator for the answer's length. Always count the available spaces to match it with a suitable synonym like DRY (3 letters) or DEHYDRATED (10 letters).