aquatic

adj. · n.

US //əˈkwætɪk// UK //əkwˈætɪk// aquat·ic

1 living or happening in water (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Science

living in, growing in, or happening in water.

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

Example

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

Example

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 based
- marine
- oceanic
- terrestrial
2 a water plant (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Science

a plant that grows in water.

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

Example

The pond was filled with lilies and other beautiful aquatics.

Example

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.
- hydrophyte
- water plant

Origin

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

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