/ ˈwɔːtə(r); NAmE ; NAmE also ˈwɑːt-/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ U ] a liquid without colour, smell or taste that falls as rain, is in lakes, rivers and seas, and is used for drinking, washing, etc. :
a glass of water
drinking water
water pollution
clean / dirty water
water shortages
There is hot and cold running water in all the bedrooms.
—see also bathwater
2.
[ U ] an area of water, especially a lake, river, sea or ocean :
We walked down to the water's edge.
She fell into the water.
shallow / deep water
In the lagoon the water was calm.
—see also backwater , breakwater
3.
waters [ pl. ] the water in a particular lake, river, sea or ocean :
the grey waters of the River Clyde
This species is found in coastal waters around the Indian Ocean.
4.
[ U ] the surface of a mass of water :
She dived under the water.
The leaves floated on the water.
—see also underwater
5.
waters [ pl. ] an area of sea or ocean belonging to a particular country :
We were still in British waters.
fishing in international waters
—see also territorial waters
6.
waters [ pl. ] murky, uncharted, stormy, dangerous, etc. ~ used to describe a situation, usually one that is difficult, dangerous or not familiar :
The conversation got into the murky waters of jealousy and relationships.
The government has warned of stormy waters ahead.
HELP NOTE : There are many other compounds ending in water . You will find them at their place in the alphabet.
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IDIOMS
- by water
- it's (all) water under the bridge
- like water
- not hold water
- sb's waters break
- (like) water off a duck's back
—more at blood , blow verb , cold adjective , dead adjective , deep adjective , dip verb , duck noun , fish noun , head noun , hell , horse noun , hot adjective , pass verb , pour , still adjective , test verb , tread adjective
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] to pour water on plants, etc. :
to water the plants / garden
2.
[ v ] ( of the eyes ) to become full of tears :
The smoke made my eyes water.
3.
[ v ] ( of the mouth ) to produce saliva :
The smells from the kitchen made our mouths water.
4.
[ vn ] to give water to an animal to drink :
to water the horses
( humorous )
After a tour of the grounds, the guests were fed and watered .
5.
[ vn ] [ usually passive ] ( technical ) ( of a river, etc. ) to provide an area of land with water :
The valley is watered by a stream.
6.
[ vn ] to add water to an alcoholic drink :
watered wine
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PHRASAL VERBS
- water sth down
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English wæter (noun), wæterian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch water , German Wasser , from an Indo-European root shared by Russian voda (compare with vodka ), also by Latin unda wave and Greek hudōr water.