water
A1Neutral; universal across all registers from informal to formal.
Definition
Meaning
A clear, colourless, odourless, and tasteless liquid essential for most plant and animal life; chemically H₂O.
A body of this liquid, such as a sea, lake, or river; the supply of this liquid available for domestic or industrial use; to pour water on something; to secrete a liquid, e.g., eyes watering; to dilute a substance with water.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In everyday contexts, 'water' is a mass noun (e.g., 'some water'). When referring to specific bodies of water or types, it can be countable ('the waters of the Nile', 'mineral waters'). Its verb forms are also common. Can be used metaphorically ('test the water', 'in deep water').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily spelling in compounds: BrE 'watercolour', 'waterborne', 'watercress'. AmE typically uses 'watercolor', 'waterborne', 'watercress'. Pronunciation differs (see IPA).
Connotations
No significant difference in connotations. 'Tap water' is the standard term in both, though BrE may occasionally specify 'mains water'.
Frequency
The word is equally frequent in both varieties. The verb use in contexts like 'water the plants/garden' is equally common.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
water N (e.g., water the garden)N water (e.g., the glass waters)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “test the water”
- “in hot/deep water”
- “like water off a duck's back”
- “fish out of water”
- “pour cold water on”
- “muddy the waters”
- “hold water”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In business contexts, often refers to utilities ('water rates'), resources ('water rights'), or dilution of assets ('watering down stock').
Academic
In scientific contexts, refers to the chemical compound H₂O, its properties, cycle, or as a solvent. In humanities, can refer to bodies of water in historical/geographical studies.
Everyday
The most common context: drinking, cooking, washing, and referring to weather ('rain water').
Technical
In engineering/chemistry: 'distilled water', 'waste water', 'water pressure', 'water table'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you water the roses while I'm away?
- The chef watered down the soup stock.
- My eyes began to water in the strong wind.
American English
- Remember to water the lawn this evening.
- They were accused of watering down the proposal.
- The smoke made his eyes water.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form in common use.
American English
- No standard adverbial form in common use.
adjective
British English
- The water pressure is low today.
- We installed a new water meter.
- She prefers water-based paints.
American English
- The water bill arrived yesterday.
- He's on the city water board.
- Use a water-soluble cleaner.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I drink water every day.
- The water in the lake is cold.
- Can I have a glass of water, please?
- We need to boil this water before drinking it.
- The plant died because I forgot to water it.
- They went swimming in the clear blue water.
- The government is investing in cleaner drinking water for rural communities.
- His argument doesn't hold water when you examine the facts.
- She felt like a fish out of water at the formal gala.
- The treaty aimed to prevent the upstream nation from weaponising its control of the water supply.
- The company's controversial decision has muddied the waters for future negotiations.
- Her eyes watered involuntarily as she chopped the onions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember the chemical formula: H₂O - two Hydrogen atoms, one Oxygen atom. The word 'water' itself contains 'wa' (like 'wave') and 'ter' (like 'terra', but for liquid).
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE/CHANGE IS WATER (e.g., 'the flow of time', 'stream of consciousness', 'drowning in work'). EMOTIONS ARE LIQUIDS (e.g., 'waves of sadness', 'welling up').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'вода' for non-liquids. In Russian, 'вода' can be used for certain non-drinkable liquids or in idioms where English uses a different word (e.g., 'газировка' for 'soda', not 'water'). The Russian verb 'водить' is unrelated to English 'to water'.
- In Russian, 'on the water' ('на воде') can be ambiguous (on the surface vs. by the shore). English is more specific: 'on the water' (sailing) vs. 'by the water' (near the shore).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect article use: 'I need a water' (only correct when ordering a serving, e.g., in a café: 'I'll have a water'). Otherwise, 'I need some water' or 'I need water'.
- Confusing 'water' as a verb meaning to dilute with 'to make watery'. The verb 'water' is transitive: 'Water the plants' not 'The plants water'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these uses 'water' as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily uncountable as a substance ('I need water'). It becomes countable when referring to types or bodies of water ('mineral waters', 'the waters of the Caribbean').
'Aqua' is a technical or commercial term (from Latin), often used in scientific names or product descriptions (e.g., 'aqua regia', 'eau de toilette' which is French for 'toilet water'). 'Water' is the everyday English word.
In most American accents, the 't' in 'water' is pronounced as a flap, sounding similar to a soft 'd' (like in 'ladder'). This is represented in IPA as [ɾ]. So it sounds like 'wadder'.
Yes, but with specific meanings. Plural 'waters' can refer to large areas of water ('territorial waters'), the water of a specific place/spa ('the waters of Bath'), or amniotic fluid ('her waters broke'). It is not used to request multiple glasses of water.
Collections
Part of a collection
Food and Drink
A1 · 49 words · Common words for food, drink and meals.
Environment
B1 · 47 words · Nature, ecology and environmental issues.