English Reference
noun · verb

water

n. · v.
US /ˈwɔtɝ/ UK /wˈɔːtɐ/ wa·ter

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    n.the clear liquid that falls as rain and fills the oceans.

    n.the clear, colourless, odourless, and tasteless liquid (H2O) essential for most plant and animal life.

    Simple

    He drank a large glass of cold water after his long run.

    In context

    The chemical properties of water allow it to act as a universal solvent, facilitating countless biological processes within the human body.

    liquidH2O
  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    n.a large area of water, like a sea or a lake.

    n.a body of water such as a sea, lake, or river; often used in the plural to refer to a specific region of the sea.

    Simple

    The boat sailed into international waters early this morning.

    In context

    Navigating these treacherous waters requires a deep understanding of the local currents and seasonal weather patterns.

    Usage

    Often used in the plural ('waters') when referring to international boundaries or a specific territory.

  3. 03 A2 Elementary

    n.the system that brings water into a building through pipes.

    n.the supply of water to a community or building through a system of pipes and pumps.

    Simple

    The city turned off the water while they fixed the broken pipe.

    In context

    The landlord is responsible for ensuring that the water and heating systems are maintained in accordance with local safety regulations.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency TechnicalFormal Finance

    n.extra value added to a company's stocks that is not real.

    n.the excess valuation of a company's assets or securities beyond their true value.

    Simple

    The investors were worried about the amount of water in the company's stock.

    In context

    The audit revealed significant water in the balance sheet, suggesting that the firm's assets had been aggressively overvalued to attract venture capital.

    inflationovervaluation
  5. 05 A2 Elementary

    v.to pour water on plants so they can grow.

    v.to supply plants or soil with water to promote growth.

    Simple

    Don't forget to water the tomatoes while I am away on holiday.

    In context

    The automated system is programmed to water the greenhouse crops at intervals that correspond to the current humidity levels.

    irrigatemoisten
  6. 06 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to make a liquid weaker by adding water to it.

    v.to reduce the strength or concentration of a liquid by adding water or another solvent.

    Simple

    The juice was too sweet, so I had to water it down a bit.

    In context

    The bar was accused of watering down the spirits to increase their profit margins during the festival.

    Usage

    Often used as the phrasal verb 'water down'.

  7. 07 B1 Intermediate

    v.when your eyes or mouth produce liquid.

    v.to produce or secrete moisture, such as tears in the eyes or saliva in the mouth.

    Simple

    The smell of fresh bread made my mouth water.

    In context

    Her eyes began to water as she chopped the onions for the soup.

    tearsalivate

Usage water supplies · water quality · water levels

This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated