English Reference
adjective · noun

saltwater

adj. · n.
US /ˌsɔɫtˈwɑtɝ/ UK /sˈɒltwɔːtɐ/ salt·wa·ter UK spelling saltwaters

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    adj.containing salt, or relating to the water in the sea and ocean.

    adj.consisting of or containing salt; specifically relating to the saline water of the oceans.

    Simple

    The children enjoyed swimming in the saltwater pool at the hotel.

    In context

    The coastal ecosystem is highly sensitive to changes in saltwater concentration caused by seasonal flooding from nearby rivers.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    adj.living in or coming from the sea rather than rivers or lakes.

    adj.inhabiting or originating from a saline environment.

    Simple

    Saltwater crocodiles are much larger and more dangerous than other types.

    In context

    The aquarium features a massive saltwater tank designed to mimic the biodiversity of a tropical coral reef.

    marinesea dwelling
  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    n.water that has salt in it, especially from the ocean.

    n.water containing a high concentration of salt, typically from a sea or ocean.

    Simple

    After a day at the beach, his skin felt tight from the saltwater.

    In context

    The engineers developed a new desalination process to convert saltwater into drinkable water for the island community.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency AcademicAmerican EnglishTechnical

    adj.a specific type of economic theory from certain American universities.

    adj.relating to a school of macroeconomic thought, typically Keynesian, associated with coastal U.S. universities.

    Simple

    The professor explained the differences between saltwater and freshwater economic models.

    In context

    Saltwater economists generally advocate for active government intervention to manage economic cycles, contrasting with the more laissez-faire freshwater school.

    keynesian

From Middle English saltwater, salte water, equivalent to salt + water. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Soaltwoater (“saltwater”), West Frisian sâltwetter (“saltwater”), Dutch zoutwater (“saltwater”), German Low German Soltwater (“saltwater”), German Salzwasser (“saltwater”), Danish saltvand (“saltwater”), Swedish saltvatten (“saltwater”), Icelandic saltvatn (“saltwater”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English saltwater
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated