tumble-dry
B2Neutral, leaning informal.
Definition
Meaning
To dry clothes by rotating them in a stream of warm air inside a machine.
To dry any fabric or material using a rotating drum with heated air; metaphorically, to subject something to a tumbling or vigorous drying process.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The hyphen is standard for the verb form; the corresponding adjective (tumble-dry) and noun (tumble dryer) may use a space or hyphen depending on style. It denotes a specific machine-assisted process, not natural drying.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term. The noun for the machine is more commonly 'tumble dryer' in UK and 'dryer' or 'clothes dryer' in US.
Connotations
Neutral, practical connotation in both. No significant difference.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English due to more common inclusion of the specific appliance in households; in US, 'dry' or 'put in the dryer' may be more frequent in casual speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[transitive] tumble-dry sth[intransitive] These jeans tumble-dry well.[passive] It should be tumble-dried on a cool setting.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in retail, appliance manufacturing, and clothing care instructions.
Academic
Rare, except in technical texts on textile science or domestic technology.
Everyday
Common in domestic contexts and clothing care labels.
Technical
Used in appliance manuals and textile care specifications.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Don't tumble-dry that silk blouse.
- The label says you can tumble-dry it on a cool setting.
American English
- Make sure you tumble-dry these towels so they stay fluffy.
- You shouldn't tumble-dry that sweater.
adjective
British English
- Look for the tumble-dry symbol on the tag.
- It's a tumble-dry safe fabric.
American English
- Is this shirt tumble-dry friendly?
- Check the tumble-dry instructions first.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My mum tumble-dries the towels.
- You can tumble-dry this T-shirt.
- I always tumble-dry my jeans on a low heat to prevent shrinking.
- The instructions clearly state 'Do not tumble-dry'.
- Having a washer-dryer means you can wash and tumble-dry clothes in one cycle.
- Modern fabrics are often designed to be tumble-dried without damage.
- The environmental impact of choosing to line-dry versus tumble-dry is significant.
- This innovative material can be tumble-dried repeatedly without losing its shape.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture clothes TUMBLing around in a DRYer.
Conceptual Metaphor
CARE IS A PROCESS (with specific mechanical stages).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation like 'падать-сушить'. The concept is 'сушить в сушильной машине' or 'сушить в барабане'.
- Do not confuse with 'spin' (отжимать) which is a different part of the washing process.
Common Mistakes
- Using as a noun ('I put it in the tumble-dry' – should be 'tumble dryer').
- Omitting the hyphen in the verb form ('tumble dry').
- Using it for air-drying or line-drying.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function denoted by 'tumble-dry'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a verb, it is standard to use a hyphen: 'tumble-dry'. The noun for the machine is usually two words: 'tumble dryer'.
No. Many fabrics, like wool, silk, or some synthetics, can be damaged by tumble-drying. Always check the garment's care label first.
'Spin' is part of the washing cycle that uses centrifugal force to remove excess water. 'Tumble-dry' is a separate process that uses warm air to completely dry the clothes.
Essentially, yes. 'Tumble dryer' is a more specific term common in British English, highlighting the tumbling action. In American English, 'dryer' or 'clothes dryer' is more common.