# aqueous

/ˈeɪkwiəs/ (US) · /ˈeɪkwɪəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aqueous
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. containing or made of water

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical · Academic

made of water or containing a lot of water.

For teachers: consisting of or containing water; often used in chemistry to describe a solution where the solvent is water.

- The scientist mixed the powder into an aqueous solution for the test.
- The reaction occurs more efficiently in an aqueous environment where the ions can move freely between the molecules.

Usage: Frequently appears in the fixed phrase 'aqueous solution'.

Teaching tip: This is a high-level academic word; in everyday conversation, people simply say 'watery' or 'liquid'.

### 2. relating to water

adjective · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

connected to or like water.

For teachers: of or relating to water; resembling water in appearance or nature.

- The artist used aqueous colors to create a soft, blurry effect.
- The creature's aqueous eyes seemed to reflect the shimmering surface of the lake.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

## Examples

- The chemist prepared an aqueous solution for the experiment.
- Plants absorb nutrients from the soil in an aqueous form through their root systems.
- The reaction occurs most efficiently in an aqueous environment, as the polar nature of the water molecules stabilizes the transition state of the reactants.

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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.