English Reference
adjective · noun

aquatic

adj. · n.
US /əˈkwætɪk/ UK /əkwˈætɪk/ aquat·ic

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    adj.living in, growing in, or happening in water.

    adj.relating to water; specifically describing organisms that inhabit water or activities that occur within it.

    Simple

    The park is home to many aquatic animals like frogs and turtles.

    In context

    Biologists are concerned that the chemical runoff will permanently damage the delicate aquatic ecosystem of the local river.

    Usage

    Often used to categorise plants, animals, or sports.

    water basedmarineoceanic
  2. 02 C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    n.a plant that grows in water.

    n.any plant that grows in or on water. Often used in the plural to refer to a collection of such plants.

    Simple

    The pond was filled with lilies and other beautiful aquatics.

    In context

    The botanical garden features a specialised greenhouse dedicated entirely to tropical aquatics and floating ferns.

    Usage

    Usually appears in the plural form 'aquatics' when referring to plants.

    hydrophytewater plant

Usage aquatic ecosystems · aquatic food

The fossils also provide clues that Praearcturus may have spent part of its life in aquatic environments.

ScienceDaily· 2 Sept 2026

This makes sense and has been shown before in different aquatic species.

Phys.org· 1 Sept 2026

Borrowed from Middle French aquatique (“living in water”), from Latin aquaticus (“relating to water”), from aqua (“water”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin aquaticus
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated