Dreich describes the atmosphere
It suggests persistent gray, bleak, wet, or dispiriting weather.
Drookit describes the result
A person, dog, or coat is drookit after becoming thoroughly soaked.
Clarty describes mud and mess
A path or pair of boots can be clarty when rain creates sticky dirt.
The words can appear together
A dreich day may leave you drookit and the path clarty, but each word adds a different detail.
Related dictionary entries
Common questions
Is dreich just rainy?
No. It usually includes grayness, persistence, and mood.
Does drookit mean damp?
It normally means much wetter—soaked or drenched.
Can clarty describe a person?
It can describe someone dirty or messy, though tone may be insulting.
Sources and further reading
- Essential Scots-English DictionaryDictionaries of the Scots Language
Authoritative general reference with English definitions for thousands of Scots words and regional labels.
- 18 Braw Scottish Words and PhrasesVisitScotland
Public guide to familiar Scots words, example sentences, and pronunciation recordings.