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Arroyo - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

An arroyo is a dry creek or stream bed that temporarily fills with water after heavy rain, commonly found in arid or semi-arid regions. It is also known as a wash or gulch.

arroyo

/əˈrɔɪoʊ/ /əˈrɔɪəʊ/

Definition:

A dry creek or gully, typically found in arid regions, that fills with water after heavy rain.

Synonyms:

gully, wash, ravine, creek bed

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

plateau, hill

Common Collocations:

dry arroyo, flash flood, desert arroyo

Derivatives:

arroyos (plural)

Usage Tips:

Use "arroyo" to describe a desert watercourse; it’s often dry but can flood suddenly during storms.

Common Phrases:

dry arroyo, arroyo flooding, seasonal arroyo

Etymology:

Borrowed from Spanish "arroyo," meaning stream or brook, derived from Latin "arrugia" (mine shaft or water channel).

Examples:

  • 1. The hiker crossed the dry arroyo carefully.
  • 2. After the storm, the arroyo filled with rushing water.
  • 3. Desert plants often grow along the edges of an arroyo.
  • 4. The road was washed out by the flooded arroyo.

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