They are not the same thing. In one area you may unleash your creativity. It's in the add-ons. Nuts and dried fruits can be substituted freely. Or use dried red cherries instead of apricots in a scone.
Coconut counts as a dried fruit.
However, substitute dry for dry. Fresh fruit cannot be used in place of dried fruit because the extra moisture in the fruit will change the finished product. Spices and extracts can often substitute for each other, too. Try nutmeg for a change instead of cinnamon, or use almond extract instead of vanilla. Remember, however, that too much of any spice will overwhelm instead of complement.