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watering can

Low
UK/ˈwɔːtərɪŋ kæn/US/ˈwɔːt̬ərɪŋ kæn/

Informal, everyday

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Definition

Meaning

A portable container, typically with a handle and a long spout, used for manually watering plants by pouring water from it.

A tool for controlled, manual irrigation of plants; metaphorically, any source of directed supply or nourishment.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Refers specifically to the garden tool. The compound nature of the word makes it semantically transparent: 'watering' + 'can'. It is a countable noun (watering cans).

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Both varieties use the term identically. The only minor potential difference is the occasional, rarer British variant 'watering pot'.

Connotations

Neutral in both. Connotes gardening, domesticity, and manual care.

Frequency

Equally low-frequency in both dialects, used primarily in gardening/domestic contexts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
metal watering canplastic watering canuse a watering canfill the watering can
medium
long-spouted watering cangarden watering canwatering can rose (sprinkler head)grab the watering can
weak
old watering canrusty watering candecorative watering canwatering can handle

Grammar

Valency Patterns

VERB + watering can (e.g., fill, use, carry, tip)watering can + VERB (e.g., the watering can holds/sprinkles/drips)ADJ + watering can (e.g., green, large, empty)

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

watering pot (less common)

Neutral

sprinkling can

Weak

jug (context-dependent)vessel (general)

Vocabulary

Antonyms

hosesprinkler systemirrigation ditch

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rare. Possibly in retail for gardening supplies.

Academic

Virtually non-existent, except in historical/design contexts (e.g., 'the evolution of garden tools').

Everyday

Common in domestic/gardening contexts.

Technical

In horticulture, as a specific hand tool for irrigation.

Examples

By Part of Speech

adjective

British English

  • She bought a new watering-can spout.
  • The watering-can handle was loose.

American English

  • He needed a new watering-can attachment.
  • The watering-can design was inefficient.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • I use a watering can for my flowers.
  • The watering can is green.
B1
  • She filled the watering can from the outdoor tap.
  • A good watering can should have a balanced handle.
B2
  • He carefully tipped the watering can to avoid disturbing the seedling's roots.
  • The antique copper watering can was more decorative than functional.
C1
  • The gardener preferred the galvanised watering can for its durability and even sprinkle pattern.
  • Metaphorically, the charity acted as a watering can of hope in the drought-stricken community.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a CAN that is specifically for WATERING plants. The image is self-explanatory.

Conceptual Metaphor

A SOURCE IS A CONTAINER; NOURISHMENT/CARE IS WATERING.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Do not translate as 'вода может' ('water can')—this is a false friend.
  • The correct equivalent is 'лейка' (leyka).

Common Mistakes

  • Spelling as one word: 'wateringcan'.
  • Incorrect plural: 'watering can' (instead of 'watering cans').
  • Confusion with 'can' as a modal verb.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
To water the delicate seedlings, she used a rather than a powerful hose.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary function of a watering can?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a compound noun written as two separate words: 'watering can'.

A watering can is specifically designed for gardening, with a spout (often long and curved) and sometimes a 'rose' (sprinkler head) for gentle watering. A jug is a general-purpose pouring vessel.

No, 'watering can' is exclusively a noun. The related verb phrase is 'to water (plants) with a watering can'.

It is commonly called a 'rose' or a 'sprinkler head'.