# freshwater

/ˈfɹɛʃˌwɔtɝ/ (US) · /fɹˈɛʃwɔːtɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. not salty

adjective · CEFR B2

describing water that does not contain salt, such as the water in most lakes and rivers.

For teachers: relating to or consisting of water that is not salty. Often used to categorize bodies of water that are not oceans or seas.

- Many people prefer swimming in freshwater lakes because there is no salt to sting their eyes.
- The local ecosystem relies on a steady supply of freshwater from the mountains to maintain the health of the wetlands.

### 2. living in fresh water

adjective · CEFR B2

describing animals or plants that live in water that is not salty.

For teachers: denoting organisms that inhabit non-saline environments. This is a non-gradable classification in biology.

- Trout are popular freshwater fish that you can find in many mountain streams.
- Biologists are studying how certain freshwater species adapt when their habitats are contaminated by agricultural runoff.

### 3. economic theory

adjective · CEFR C2 · American English · Technical · Academic

a style of economic thinking from universities near the Great Lakes in the US.

For teachers: referring to a school of macroeconomic thought associated with researchers at US universities near the Great Lakes, typically favoring free-market models.

- The professor explained the differences between freshwater and saltwater economic theories.
- Freshwater economists generally argue that government intervention is less effective than market-based solutions during a recession.

### 4. inexperienced sailor

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

used to describe a sailor who has only worked on rivers or lakes and lacks experience on the open sea.

For teachers: describing a mariner who is unskilled or inexperienced in seafaring, traditionally because their experience is limited to inland waters.

- The old captain laughed at the freshwater sailors who were afraid of a little storm.
- The crew looked with suspicion upon the freshwater recruit, doubting his ability to handle the rigors of a transatlantic voyage.

### 5. water without salt

noun · CEFR B2

water that does not have salt in it.

For teachers: water that is not salty; an alternative spelling or form of the compound noun 'fresh water'.

- The island has a limited supply of freshwater for the tourists.
- Access to clean freshwater remains one of the most significant challenges for developing nations in the twenty-first century.

## Examples

- 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.

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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.