water glass
C1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
A drinking vessel, usually made of glass, specifically designed to hold water for consumption.
1. A small container of water with a brush, used by artists. 2. A piece of laboratory glassware for holding water. 3. A type of old-fashioned clock that uses water to measure time. 4. A glass that is designed to be placed in a bathroom or at a bedside specifically for drinking water.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is polysemous, with the 'drinking glass' sense being the most common in everyday usage. The compound is often used to specify the intended beverage or location of the glass, distinguishing it from a wine glass, tumbler, or other specialised vessel. It often implies a simple, unadorned glass.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'glass of water' is more common than 'water glass' to specify the content, but 'water glass' is understood for the vessel. In US English, 'water glass' is a standard term for the container, particularly in formal dining settings to distinguish it from other glassware.
Connotations
UK: May sound slightly formal or specific (e.g., from a set). US: A standard, functional term, often heard in restaurants and homes.
Frequency
More frequent and unmarked in American English. In British English, 'tumbler' or simply 'glass' is often used where context is clear.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] filled the water glass.[Subject] placed a water glass on [Location].[Subject] drank from a water glass.The [adjective] water glass [verb].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “His promises hold as much water as a cracked water glass. (informal, metaphorical for being unreliable)”
- “To have one's water glass always half full. (a variation on optimism, less common)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except perhaps in hospitality or restaurant supply contexts.
Academic
Possible in historical texts (water-clocks) or materials science (soda-lime glass).
Everyday
Common when specifying table setting or requesting a drink vessel.
Technical
Used in chemistry for a specific piece of lab equipment; in art for the water container used with watercolours.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Not typically used as a verb)
American English
- (Not typically used as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Not typically used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not typically used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not typically used as an adjective)
American English
- (Not typically used as an adjective)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please bring a water glass to the table.
- I drink milk from this cup and water from this glass.
- Every place setting should include a clean water glass on the right.
- She knocked over her water glass during dinner.
- The butler silently refilled each guest's crystal water glass from a pitcher.
- In the laboratory, the solution was heated in a beaker, not a water glass.
- The artist's toolkit contained several jam jars acting as makeshift water glasses for her brushes.
- Antique dealers occasionally come across 19th-century water glasses, distinguishable by their lack of a stem.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a glass that is waiting for water. 'Water' tells you its main job, 'glass' tells you what it's made of.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLARITY/TRANSPARENCY ("The instructions were as clear as a water glass.")
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'водяной стакан' which sounds odd. Use 'стакан для воды' or simply 'стакан' in context.
- Do not confuse with 'стакан воды' (a glass *of* water). 'Water glass' is the object, not the portion.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'water glass' to mean a glass made of water (impossible).
- Saying 'I'd like a water glass' in a pub when you mean 'a glass of water' (you'd get an empty glass).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a common meaning of 'water glass'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Water glass' refers to the container itself. 'A glass of water' refers to the container plus its contents (the water).
Strictly speaking, the term specifies the material (glass). In casual use, people might refer to a plastic cup used for water as a 'water glass', but 'plastic cup' or 'tumbler' is more accurate.
A tumbler is a type of drinking glass without a stem or handle, often used for water. Therefore, many water glasses are tumblers. However, a 'water glass' specifies the intended drink, while 'tumbler' specifies the shape.
In table service, it distinguishes the glass intended for water from other specialised glassware like wine glasses, champagne flutes, or cocktail glasses, ensuring correct placement and use.