water

noun

UK /ˈwɔːtə(r)/

Word Forms

singular	water
plural	waters

1
uncountable the clear liquid that falls as rain and is used for things such as drinking and washing
Soldiers were able to get food and water across the border.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Just add water to the cake mix.
a glass of water
sparkling/carbonated water (=water for drinking that has gas added to it)
1. 1a
  the supply of water to homes and buildings
  the monthly water bill
  Synonyms and related words
  Plumbing and drainage systems
  airlock
  back up
  blockage
2
uncountable an area of water such as a lake or sea
From the hotel there’s a beautiful view of the water.
The hotel grounds slope gently down to the water.
by water (=by boat):
Island residents have their mail delivered by water.
Synonyms and related words
Lakes and ponds
billabong
L
lagoon
Synonyms and related words
Seas and oceans
the brine
the briny
the Caribbean
1. 2a
  countable/uncountable the surface of a lake or the sea
  The water was calm and still.
  swimming under the water
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for areas of water
  body of water
  channel
  field
2. 2b
  
  waters
  plural an area of water that belongs to a particular place, state, country etc
  The boat sailed into international waters.
  British fishing waters
  the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for areas of water
  body of water
  channel
  field
3

waters
plural used for talking about a particular type of situation
young couples thrown headfirst into the unknown waters of parenthood
stormy/turbulent etc waters (=a difficult situation):
There seemed to be stormy waters ahead for the government.
murky waters (=a mysterious or frightening situation):
Someone mentions drugs and the waters turn very murky.
Synonyms and related words
General words for situations and circumstances
situation
circumstance
conditions
4
hold water
if an argument holds water, it appears to be valid and logical
It doesn’t hold water, if you ask me.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 20/05/2019
Open Dictionary - May2019
5
make water
formal or literary
to urinate
Jeff was so nervous that he made water a couple of times before the show.
Submitted by:
Klinsman Hinjaya from Indonesia on 28/08/2019
Open Dictionary - August2019

phrases

hold water

throw/pour cold water on something

someone’s waters break

water off a duck’s back

water under the bridge

water

noun

US /ˈwɔtər/

Word Forms

singular	water
plural	waters

1
uncountable the clear liquid that falls as rain and is used for things such as drinking and washing
Soldiers were able to get food and water across the border.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Just add water to the cake mix.
a glass of water
sparkling/carbonated water (=water for drinking that has gas added to it)
1. 1a
  the supply of water to homes and buildings
  the monthly water bill
  Synonyms and related words
  Plumbing and drainage systems
  airlock
  back up
  blockage
2
uncountable an area of water such as a lake or ocean
From the hotel there’s a beautiful view of the water.
San Francisco is right on the water.
by water (=by boat):
Island residents have their mail delivered by water.
Synonyms and related words
Lakes and ponds
billabong
L.
lagoon
Synonyms and related words
Seas and oceans
the brine
the briny
the Caribbean
1. 2a
  countable/uncountable the surface of a lake or the ocean
  The water was calm and still.
  swimming under the water
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for areas of water
  body of water
  channel
  field
2. 2b
  
  waters
  plural an area of water that belongs to a particular place, state, country, etc.
  The boat sailed into international waters.
  Cuban waters
  the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for areas of water
  body of water
  channel
  field
3

waters
plural used for talking about a particular type of situation
young couples thrown headfirst into the unknown waters of parenthood
stormy/turbulent etc. waters (=a difficult situation):
There seemed to be stormy waters ahead for the administration.
murky waters (=a mysterious or frightening situation):
Someone mentions drugs and the waters turn very murky.
Synonyms and related words
General words for situations and circumstances
situation
circumstance
conditions
4
hold water
if an argument holds water, it appears to be valid and logical
It doesn’t hold water, if you ask me.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 20/05/2019
Open Dictionary - May2019
5
make water
formal or literary
to urinate
Jeff was so nervous that he made water a couple of times before the show.
Submitted by:
Klinsman Hinjaya from Indonesia on 28/08/2019
Open Dictionary - August2019

phrases

hold water

throw/pour cold water on something

someone’s water breaks

water off a duck’s back

water under the bridge

water

verb

UK /ˈwɔːtə(r)/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	water
he/she/it	waters
present participle	watering
past tense	watered
past participle	watered

1
transitive to pour water on plants to keep them healthy
Don’t forget to water the flowers.
Synonyms and related words
Gardening
aerate
bed out
bonsai
2
intransitive if something such as wind makes your eyes water, it makes tears form in your eyes
Synonyms and related words
What the eyes can do
adjust
blink
blink
1. 2a
  if your mouth waters when you see food, smell food, or think about food, saliva begins to form in your mouth because you are hungry
  The smell made my mouth water.
  Synonyms and related words
  To use or to move the mouth or throat
  clear your throat
  dribble
  drool
  Synonyms and related words
  Hunger and hungry
  hunger
  hungry
  appetite
3
transitive to give water to an animal
Then they have to feed and water the dogs.
Synonyms and related words
Brewing, storing and serving drinks
brew
brewer
brewery
1. 3a
  humorousto give someone a drink
  Have you been fed and watered?
  Synonyms and related words
  Brewing, storing and serving drinks
  brew
  brewer
  brewery

phrasal verbs

water down

water

verb

US /ˈwɔtər/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	water
he/she/it	waters
present participle	watering
past tense	watered
past participle	watered

1
transitive to pour water on plants to keep them healthy
Don’t forget to water the flowers.
Synonyms and related words
Gardening
aerate
bed out
bonsai
2
intransitive if something such as wind makes your eyes water, it makes tears form in your eyes
Synonyms and related words
What the eyes can do
adjust
blink
blink
1. 2a
  if your mouth waters when you see food, smell food, or think about food, saliva begins to form in your mouth because you are hungry
  The smell made my mouth water.
  Synonyms and related words
  To use or to move the mouth or throat
  clear your throat
  dribble
  drool
  Synonyms and related words
  Hunger and hungry
  hunger
  hungry
  appetite
3
transitive to give water to an animal
Then they have to feed and water the dogs.
Synonyms and related words
Brewing, storing and serving drinks
brew
brewer
brewery
1. 3a
  humorousto give someone a drink
  Have you been fed and watered?
  Synonyms and related words
  Brewing, storing and serving drinks
  brew
  brewer
  brewery

phrasal verbs

water down

water ​‌‌‌

waters

waters

hold water

make water

water ​‌‌‌

waters

waters

hold water

make water

water ​‌

water ​‌

water

water

water

water