freshwater
adj.adj. describing water that is not salty, like the water found in rivers and lakes. You cannot use this word for the ocean.
adj. relating to or living in water that is not salty. Typically used attributively to modify nouns like 'fish', 'lake', or 'ecosystem'.
Trout are common freshwater fish.
The island has a small freshwater spring that provides enough drinking water for the local village.
Environmental scientists are concerned that rising sea levels may cause saltwater to leak into freshwater aquifers, potentially ruining the local supply of irrigation water for nearby farms.
From Middle English freche watur, fresshe water; equivalent to fresh + water.
Typically precedes the noun it modifies.
the freshwater lake is very saltythe freshwater lake is not saltyFreshwater specifically means water without salt; learners sometimes confuse it with 'refreshing' or 'clean' water regardless of salt content.