# aquatic

/əˈkwætɪk/ (US) · /əkwˈætɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aquatic
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. living or happening in water

adjective · CEFR B2

living in, growing in, or happening in water.

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

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

### 2. a water plant

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a plant that grows in water.

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

- The pond was filled with lilies and other beautiful aquatics.
- 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.

## Examples

- Dolphins are aquatic mammals that live in the ocean.
- The park features a large pond filled with various aquatic plants and small fish.
- Biologists are concerned that rising chemical levels in the river are damaging the delicate aquatic ecosystem and threatening several rare species of frogs.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.