waterlog
C1Formal, Technical, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
To saturate or soak with water, typically making something heavy, unmanageable, or unable to function properly.
To become or cause to become so thoroughly soaked with water that normal function, movement, or buoyancy is impeded. Used literally for objects and land, and metaphorically for systems or processes.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in the passive voice ('be/become waterlogged'). The state implies damage, inconvenience, or loss of intended function.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Slightly more frequent in British English in contexts describing weather and ground conditions.
Connotations
Negative connotation of being unusable, heavy, and spoiled by excess water.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in both dialects, but understood. More common in specific domains like sailing, agriculture, and weather reporting.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The soil was waterlogged by the incessant rain.The storm waterlogged the coastal path.The boat became waterlogged and sank.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. The word itself is descriptive.]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possible in logistics: 'Waterlogged roads delayed the shipment.'
Academic
Common in geography, environmental science, and agriculture: 'Waterlogged soils become anaerobic.'
Everyday
Used in weather and gardening contexts: 'The lawn is completely waterlogged after that downpour.'
Technical
Standard in maritime and construction: 'The hull was compromised and the vessel began to waterlog.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The relentless rain threatened to waterlog the cricket pitch, causing a postponement.
- If you don't seal that timber, it will waterlog and rot.
American English
- The hurricane's surge waterlogged the foundation of the beach house.
- Be careful not to waterlog the sponge; just dampen it.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The garden is waterlogged. We can't play there.
- After the storm, the soil in the field was completely waterlogged.
- The match was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch following torrential overnight rain.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LOG floating in WATER. If it absorbs too much WATER, it becomes heavy and sinks—it becomes WATER-LOGged.
Conceptual Metaphor
WATER IS A BURDEN / IMPEDIMENT (The absorbed water weighs down and disables the object).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'заболоченный' (bolotistyy), which specifically implies 'marshy' or 'boggy'. 'Waterlogged' is a temporary state of saturation. Use 'пропитанный водой' or 'затопленный' for closer meaning.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'waterlog' as a frequent active verb (e.g., 'I waterlogged the towel'). It's most natural in passive/resultative constructions. Confusing with 'flooded', which implies covering with water, not absorption.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'waterlogged' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While originating from maritime use, it commonly describes any porous material or ground that becomes excessively saturated and heavy, such as soil, fields, or wood.
It can, but it's less common. The active form ('The rain waterlogged the soil') is grammatical, but the passive/resultative form ('The soil became/got/was waterlogged') is far more frequent.
'Flooded' means covered with standing water. 'Waterlogged' refers to the state of having absorbed so much water that function is impaired. A field can be waterlogged without being visibly flooded, and a boat can be flooded (with water inside) before it becomes waterlogged (its structure saturated).
No. The noun related to the state is 'waterlogging' (e.g., 'The waterlogging of the field was a problem').