Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense waters, present participle watering, past tense, past participle watered
1. uncountable noun
Water is a clear thin liquid that has no colour or taste when it is pure. It falls from clouds as rain and enters rivers and seas. All animals and people need water in order to live.
Get me a glass of water.
...the sound of water hammering on the metal roof.
...a trio of children playing along the water's edge.
2. plural noun
You use waters to refer to a large area of sea, especially the area of sea which is near to a country and which is regarded as belonging toit.
The ship will remain outside Chinese territorial waters.
...the open waters of the Arctic Ocean. [+ of]
Synonyms: sea, main, waves, ocean More Synonyms of water
3. plural noun [adjective NOUN]
You sometimes use waters to refer to a situation which is very complex or difficult.
...the man brought in to guide him through troubled waters.
The country may be in stormy economic waters.
4. verb
If you water plants, you pour water over them in order to help them to grow.
He went out to water the plants. [VERB noun]
5. verb
If your eyes water, tears build up in them because they are hurting or because you are upset.
His eyes watered from the smoke. [VERB]
Synonyms: get wet, cry, weep, become wet More Synonyms of water
6. verb
If you say that your mouth is watering, you mean that you can smell or see some nice food and you might mean that your mouth is producing a liquid.
...cookies to make your mouth water. [VERB]
7. See also mouth-watering
8.
See waters break/break sb's waters
9.
See water under the bridge
10.
See in deep water
11.
See hold water
12.
See in hot water
13.
See to pour cold water on something
14.
See test the water
15. like water off a duck's back
16. to take to something like a duck to water
17. like a fish out of water
18. to keep your head above water
19. to pour oil on troubled waters
Phrasal verbs:
See water down
More Synonyms of water
water in British English
(ˈwɔːtə)
noun
1.
a clear colourless tasteless odourless liquid that is essential for plant and animal life and constitutes, in impure form, rain, oceans, rivers, lakes, etc. It is a neutral substance, an effective solvent for many compounds, and is used as a standard for many physical properties. Formula: H2O
▶ Related adjective: aqueous ▶ Related combining forms: hydro-, aqua-
2.
a.
any body or area of this liquid, such as a sea, lake, river, etc
b.
(as modifier)
water sports
water transport
a water plant
▶ Related adjective: aquatic
3.
the surface of such a body or area
fish swam below the water
4.
any form or variety of this liquid, such as rain
5. high water, low water
6.
any of various solutions of chemical substances in water
lithia water
ammonia water
7. physiology
a.
any fluid secreted from the body, such as sweat, urine, or tears
b. (usually plural)
the amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus in the womb
8.
a wavy lustrous finish on some fabrics, esp silk
9. archaic
the degree of brilliance in a diamond
See also first water
10.
excellence, quality, or degree (in the phrase of the first water)
11. finance
a.
capital stock issued without a corresponding increase in paid-up capital, so that the book value of the company's capital is not fully represented by assets or earning power
b.
the fictitious or unrealistic asset entries that reflect such inflated book value of capital
12. (modifier) astrology
of or relating to the three signs of the zodiac Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces
Compare air (sense 20), earth (sense 10), fire (sense 24)
13. above the water
14. hold water
15. in deep water
16. make water
17. pass water
18. test the water
19. throw cold water on
20. water under the bridge
verb
21. (transitive)
to sprinkle, moisten, or soak with water
22. (transitive; often foll bydown)
to weaken by the addition of water
23. (intransitive)
(of the eyes) to fill with tears
24. (intransitive)
(of the mouth) to salivate, esp in anticipation of food (esp in the phrase make one's mouth water)
25. (transitive)
to irrigate or provide with water
to water the land
he watered the cattle
26. (intransitive)
to drink water
27. (intransitive)
(of a ship, etc) to take in a supply of water
28. (transitive) finance
to raise the par value of (issued capital stock) without a corresponding increase in the real value of assets
29. (transitive)
to produce a wavy lustrous finish on (fabrics, esp silk)
Derived forms
waterer (ˈwaterer)
noun
waterish (ˈwaterish)
adjective
waterishness (ˈwaterishness)
noun
waterless (ˈwaterless)
adjective
waterlessness (ˈwaterlessness)
noun
water-like (ˈwater-ˌlike)
adjective
Word origin
Old English wæter, of Germanic origin; compare Old Saxon watar, Old High German wazzar, Gothic watō, Old Slavonic voda; related to Greek hudor
water in American English
(ˈwɔtər; ˈwɑtər)
noun
1.
the colorless, transparent liquid occurring on earth as rivers, lakes, oceans, etc., and falling from the cloudsas rain: chemically a compound of hydrogen and oxygen, H2O, it freezes, forming ice, at 0°C (32°F) and boils, forming steam, at 100°C (212°F)
2.
water in a specified form or amount, or occurring or distributed in a specified way, or for a specified use, as drinking or washing
3. [often pl.]
a.
a large body of water, as a river, lake, or sea
b.
the part of the sea contiguous with a specified country, land mass, etc. or the parts away from this
international waters
c.
any area in a body of water
the noisy waters at the rapids
d.
the liquid substance of a body of water
the pond's still waters
4.
water with reference to
a.
its depth
ten feet of water at the dam
b.
its displacement
a boat that draws six feet of water
c.
its surface
above water, under water
d.
its level in a sea, river, etc.
high water, low water
5. [pl.]
the water of mineral springs
to take the waters at Saratoga
6.
any body fluid or secretion, as urine, saliva, tears, or gastric and pancreatic juices
; specif.,
a.
the fluid surrounding the fetus in pregnancy; amniotic fluid
b.
a watery fluid retained abnormally
water on the knee
7.
a solution of any substance in water
mineral water, ammonia water
8.
a.
the degree of transparency and luster of a precious stone as a measure of its quality
a diamond of the first water
b.
degree of quality or conformity to type
an artist of the first or purest water
9.
a wavy, lustrous finish given to linen, silk, rayon, etc., or to a metal surface
10.
a watercolor painting
11. Finance
a.
a valuation wrongfully given to the assets of a business in excess of their real value
b.
an issue of capital stock which brings the face value of all the stock issued bya business to a figure higher than the actual value of its assets: now prohibited by SEC regulations
verb transitive
12.
to supply with water
; specif.,
a.
to give (animals) water to drink
b.
to give water to (soil, crops, etc.) by sprinkling, pouring, or irrigating
c.
to bring water to (land)
said of a river, canal, etc.
d.
to put water on by sprinkling, hosing, etc.; soak or moisten with water
often with down
e.
to add water to so as to weaken; dilute
to water the milk
13.
to give a wavy luster to the surface of (silk, etc.)
14. Finance
to issue (stock) so as to add illegally to the total face value without increasing assets to justify this valuation
verb intransitive
15.
to fill with tears
said of the eyes
16.
to secrete or fill with saliva
his mouth watered at the sight of the roast
17.
to take on a supply of water
18.
to drink water
said of animals
adjective
19.
of or having to do with water
20.
in or on water
water sports
21.
growing in or living on or near water
water plants, water birds
22.
a.
operated by water
a water wheel
b.
derived from running water
water power
23.
containing water or fluid
a water blister
24.
prepared with water, as for thinning or hardening
Idioms:
by water
hold water
like water
make someone's mouth water
make water
test the water(s)
water down
water under the bridge
Word origin
ME < OE wæter, akin to Ger wasser < IE *wodōr < *wed-, to wet (< base *awed-, to moisten, flow) > Gr hydōr, water, L unda, a wave, Russ voda, water, Ir uisce, water
More idioms containing
water
come hell or high water
keep your head above water
be like a fish out of water
take to something like a duck to water
blood is thicker than water
throw the baby out with the bath water
you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink
like oil and water
dip your toe in the water
be dead in the water
blow something out of the water
in deep water
in hot water
like water off a duck's back
pour cold water on something
someone can talk under water
something does not hold water
test the water
tread water
water over the dam
milk and water
spend money like water
make your mouth water
Examples of 'water' in a sentence
water
A second later, he broke the surface, coughing madly, getting as much water as air.
Garth Nix LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)
The shock from Mahina's bucket of water seemed to have sobered him.
Jennifer Fallon TREASON KEEP (2001)
The reservoir was a vast hall of silence, cold stone, and even colder water.
Garth Nix LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)
Quotations
Water, water, every where, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, every where. Nor any drop to drink.Samuel Taylor ColeridgeThe Ancient Mariner
Water taken in moderation cannot hurt anybodyMark TwainNotebook
Word lists with
water
Soft drinks
In other languages
water
British English: water /ˈwɔːtə/ NOUN
Water is a clear thin liquid that has no colour or taste when it is pure. It falls from clouds as rain.
Please could I have a glass of water?
American English: water
Arabic: مِياه
Brazilian Portuguese: água
Chinese: 水
Croatian: voda
Czech: voda
Danish: vand
Dutch: water
European Spanish: agua
Finnish: vesi
French: eau
German: Wasser
Greek: νερό
Italian: acqua
Japanese: 水
Korean: 물
Norwegian: vann
Polish: woda
European Portuguese: água
Romanian: apă
Russian: вода
Latin American Spanish: agua
Swedish: vatten
Thai: น้ำ
Turkish: su
Ukrainian: вода
Vietnamese: nước chất lỏng
British English: water /ˈwɔːtə/ VERB
If you water plants, you pour water over them in order to help them to grow.
He went out to water the plants.
American English: water
Arabic: يَسْقِي
Brazilian Portuguese: aguar
Chinese: 浇水
Croatian: zalijevati
Czech: zalít
Danish: vande
Dutch: begieten
European Spanish: regar
Finnish: kastella
French: arroser
German: gießen
Greek: ποτίζω
Italian: innaffiare
Japanese: 水をやる
Korean: 물을 주다
Norwegian: vanne
Polish: nawodnić
European Portuguese: regar
Romanian: a uda
Russian: поливать
Latin American Spanish: regar
Swedish: vattna
Thai: รดน้ำ
Turkish: sulamak
Ukrainian: поливати
Vietnamese: tưới nước
All related terms of 'water'
by water
by ship or boat
hot water
trouble ; difficulty
ice water
Ice water is very cold water served as a drink.
low water
Low water is the same as → low tide .
red water
→ Texas fever
sea water
Sea water is salt water from the sea.
tap water
Tap water is the water that comes out of a tap in a building such as a house or a hotel .
water bag
a bag , sometimes made of skin, leather , etc, but in Australia usually canvas , for holding , carrying, and keeping water cool
water bed
a heavy vinyl bag filled with water and used as a bed or as a mattress in a special bed frame
water boy
a boy who brings drinking water to workers, as in the fields
water bug
any of various heteropterous insects adapted to living in the water or on its surface, esp any of the family Belostomatidae ( giant water bugs ), of North America, India, and southern Africa, which have flattened hairy legs
water cut
The water cut is the ratio of the water which is produced in a well compared to the volume of the total liquids produced.
water dog
a dog trained to hunt in water
water gap
a deep valley in a ridge , containing a stream
water gas
a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide produced by passing steam over hot carbon, used as a fuel and raw material
water gum
any of several gum trees, esp Nyssa biflora (or tupelo ), of swampy areas of North America : family Nyssaceae
water gun
→ water pistol
water hen
any of various birds (family Rallidae), including certain gallinules and the American coot ( Fulica americana )
water hog
a person who uses water selfishly or irresponsibly, esp during a water shortage
water ice
an ice cream made from a frozen sugar syrup flavoured with fruit juice or purée; sorbet
water oak
an oak ( Quercus nigra ) of the SE U.S., found mainly along rivers , streams , etc.
water ox
a member of the cattle tribe , Bubalus bubalis, of swampy regions of S Asia, having widely spreading back-curving horns . Domesticated forms are used as draught animals
water rat
any of several small amphibious rodents , esp the water vole or the muskrat
water-ski
If you water-ski , you stand on skis in the water while being pulled along by a boat .
back water
to reverse the direction of a boat, esp to push the oars of a rowing boat to slow it down or stop it
bath water
Your bath water is the water in which you sit or lie when you have a bath.
black water
household waste water that cannot be reused without purification
cold-water
designating a room, apartment , etc. that is not provided with hot water or, sometimes, a bathroom
first water
the finest quality of diamond or other precious stone
fresh water
water that is not salt
gray water
household waste water that can be reused for some purposes without purification, e. g . bath water, which can be used to water plants
grey water
household waste water that can be reused for some purposes without purification, e. g . bath water, which can be used to water plants
gripe water
a solution given to infants to relieve colic
hard water
water that contains magnesium , calcium , or iron salts and therefore forms a soap lather with difficulty
Hawes Water
a lake in NW England, in the Lake District : provides part of Manchester's water supply ; extended by damming from 4 km (2.5 miles) to 6 km (4 miles)
heart-water
a tick-borne disease of cattle , sheep , and goats characterized by fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac . It is caused by the organism Rickettsia ruminantium
heavy water
water that has been electrolytically decomposed to enrich it in the deuterium isotope in the form HDO or D 2 O
high water
High water is the time at which the water in a river or sea is at its highest level as a result of the tide .
hold water
If an argument or theory does not hold water , it does not seem to be reasonable or be in accordance with the facts.
holy water
water that has been blessed by a priest for use in symbolic rituals of purification
iced water
→ another name for ice water (sense 2 )
javel water
bleach or disinfectant
light water
a name for water (H 2 O), as distinct from heavy water
like water
lavishly; freely
lolly water
any of various coloured soft drinks
mains water
gas supplied to a building through pipes
make water
(of a boat, hull , etc) to let in water
pass water
to urinate
pump-water
water that has been sourced from under soil level by means of a pump
rose-water
scented water used as a perfume and in cooking, made by the distillation of rose petals or by impregnation with oil of roses
Chinese translation of 'water'
water
(ˈwɔːtəʳ)
n(u)
水 (shuǐ)
vt
[plant]给(給) ... 浇(澆)水 (gěi ... jiāoshuǐ)
vi
[eyes]流泪(淚) (liúlèi)
[mouth]流口水 (liú kǒushuǐ)
a drink of water一杯水 (yī bēi shuǐ)
to pass water小便 (xiǎobiàn)
the water's edge水边(邊) (shuǐbiān)
in British waters在英国(國)海域 (zài Yīngguó hǎiyù)
Derived Forms
watersn pl (= area of water) 水域 (shuǐyù)
All related terms of 'water'
sea water
海水 hǎishuǐ
water down
( drink, paint ) 掺水冲(沖)淡 chānshuǐ chōngdàn
bottled water
瓶装(裝)水 píngzhuāng shuǐ
drinking water
饮(飲)用水 yǐnyòngshuǐ
mineral water
矿(礦)泉水 kuàngquánshuǐ
water sports
水上运(運)动(動) shuǐshàng yùndòng
water-skiing
▶ to go water-skiing 去滑水 qù huáshuǐ
sparkling water
苏(蘇)打水 sūdáshuǐ
to pass water
小便 xiǎobiàn
a drink of water
一杯水 yī bēi shuǐ
hot-water bottle
热(熱)水袋 rèshuǐdài [ 个(個) gè ]
water/petrol pump
水/油泵 shuǐ/yóubèng
to go water-skiing
去滑水 qù huáshuǐ
to fill sth with water
在某物里(裡)装(裝)满(滿)水 zài mǒuwù lǐ zhuāngmǎn shuǐ
ankle-/knee-deep (in water)
(水深)及脚(腳)踝/及膝 (shuǐshēn) jí jiǎohuái/jíxī
it will dissolve in water
它会(會)溶解在水中 tā huì róngjiě zài shuǐ zhōng
to test water for impurities
测(測)试(試)水的纯(純)度 cèshì shuǐ de chúndù
soda
soda water 苏(蘇)打水 sūdáshuǐ
the water came up to his knees
水到他的膝盖(蓋)了 shuǐ dào tā de xīgài le
to immerse sth in water etc
把某物浸没(沒)在水 等 里(裡) bǎ mǒuwù jìnmò zài shuǐ děng li
tonic
[ u ] tonic water 奎宁(寧)水 kuíníngshuǐ
WC
water closet 厕(廁)所 cèsuǒ
to sprinkle water on sth, sprinkle sth with water
把水洒(灑)在某物上 bǎ shuǐ sǎ zài mǒuwù shang
1 (noun)
Could I have a glass of water, please?
Synonyms
liquid
aqua
Adam's ale or wine
H2O
wai (New Zealand)
2 (noun)
the open waters of the Arctic Ocean
Synonyms
sea
Most of the kids have never seen the sea.
main
waves
ocean
the beautiful sight of the calm ocean on a warm night
depths
briny (informal)
1 (verb)
Definition
to moisten or soak with water
Water the plants once a week.
Synonyms
sprinkle
spray
A shower of seeds sprayed into the air and fell on the grass.
We sprayed the area with weedkiller.
soak
Soak the soil around each bush with at least 4 gallons of water.
irrigate
The land is irrigated by a maze of interconnected canals.
damp
She damped a hand towel and laid it across her head.
hose
dampen
She took the time to dampen a cloth and wash her face.
drench
They turned fire hoses on the people and drenched them.
douse
They doused him in petrol.
moisten
She took a sip of water to moisten her dry throat.
souse
fertigate (Australian)
2 (verb)
His eyes were watering from the smoke.
Synonyms
get wet
cry
I hung up the phone and started to cry.
weep
She began to weep, tears running down her face.
become wet
exude water
idioms
See hold water
See in hot water
See of the first water
See pour cold water on or over something
phrasal verb
See water something down
related words
related adjectivesaquaticaqueous
related prefixeshydro-aqua-
related maniahydromania
related phobiahydrophobiaaquaphobia
subject word lists
See Water sports
Quotations
Water, water, every where, And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, every where. Nor any drop to drink. [Samuel Taylor Coleridge – The Ancient Mariner]Water taken in moderation cannot hurt anybody [Mark Twain – Notebook]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of cry
Definition
to shed tears
I hung up the phone and started to cry.
Synonyms
weep,
sob,
bawl,
shed tears,
keen,
greet (Scottish, archaic),
wail,
whine,
whimper,
whinge (informal),
blubber,
snivel,
yowl,
boohoo,
pule,
mewl,
howl your eyes out,
lament
in the sense of damp
Definition
to make slightly wet
She damped a hand towel and laid it across her head.
Synonyms
moisten,
wet,
soak,
dampen,
lick,
moisturize,
humidify
in the sense of dampen
Definition
to make damp
She took the time to dampen a cloth and wash her face.
Synonyms
moisten,
wet,
spray,
make damp,
bedew,
besprinkle
Synonyms of 'water'
water
Explore 'water' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of douse
Definition
to drench with water or other liquid
They doused him in petrol.
Synonyms
drench,
soak,
steep,
saturate,
duck,
submerge,
immerse,
dunk,
souse,
plunge into water
in the sense of drench
Definition
to make completely wet
They turned fire hoses on the people and drenched them.
Synonyms
soak,
flood,
wet,
duck,
drown,
steep,
swamp,
saturate,
inundate,
souse,
imbrue
in the sense of irrigate
Definition
to supply (land) with water through ditches or pipes in order to encourage the growth of crops
The land is irrigated by a maze of interconnected canals.
Synonyms
water,
wet,
moisten,
flood,
inundate,
fertigate (Australian)
in the sense of moisten
Definition
to make or become moist
She took a sip of water to moisten her dry throat.
Synonyms
dampen,
water,
wet,
soak,
damp,
moisturize,
humidify,
bedew
in the sense of ocean
Definition
the sea
the beautiful sight of the calm ocean on a warm night
Synonyms
sea,
the deep,
the waves,
main,
the drink (informal),
the briny (informal)
in the sense of soak
Definition
to put or lie in a liquid so as to become thoroughly wet
Soak the soil around each bush with at least 4 gallons of water.
Synonyms
wet,
damp,
saturate,
drench,
douse,
moisten,
suffuse,
wet through,
waterlog,
souse,
drouk (Scottish)
in the sense of souse
Definition
to steep or cook (food) in a marinade
Synonyms
steep,
soak,
pickle,
immerse,
drench,
marinate,
dunk
in the sense of spray
Definition
to scatter in fine drops
A shower of seeds sprayed into the air and fell on the grass.We sprayed the area with weedkiller.
Synonyms
scatter,
shower,
sprinkle,
diffuse
in the sense of weep
Definition
to shed tears
She began to weep, tears running down her face.
Synonyms
cry,
shed tears,
sob,
whimper,
complain,
keen,
greet (Scottish),
moan,
mourn,
grieve,
lament,
whinge (informal),
blubber,
snivel,
ululate,
blub (slang),
boohoo
All related terms of 'water'
hold water
be sound, work, stand up, be convincing, hold up
in hot water
in trouble, in a mess
milk-and-water
weak, feeble, innocuous, weedy, insipid
of the first water
excellent, of the best, of the best quality, of the finest quality, of the highest grade