# water

/ˈwɔtɝ/ (US) · /wˈɔːtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/water
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the liquid

noun · CEFR A1

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

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

- He drank a large glass of cold water after his long run.
- The chemical properties of water allow it to act as a universal solvent, facilitating countless biological processes within the human body.

### 2. an area of water

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

- The boat sailed into international waters early this morning.
- 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. utility service

noun · CEFR A2

the system that brings water into a building through pipes.

For teachers: the supply of water to a community or building through a system of pipes and pumps.

- The city turned off the water while they fixed the broken pipe.
- The landlord is responsible for ensuring that the water and heating systems are maintained in accordance with local safety regulations.

### 4. financial inflation

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

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

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

- The investors were worried about the amount of water in the company's stock.
- The audit revealed significant water in the balance sheet, suggesting that the firm's assets had been aggressively overvalued to attract venture capital.

### 5. to give water to plants

verb · CEFR A2

to pour water on plants so they can grow.

For teachers: to supply plants or soil with water to promote growth.

- Don't forget to water the tomatoes while I am away on holiday.
- The automated system is programmed to water the greenhouse crops at intervals that correspond to the current humidity levels.

### 6. to dilute

verb · CEFR B2

to make a liquid weaker by adding water to it.

For teachers: to reduce the strength or concentration of a liquid by adding water or another solvent.

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

verb · CEFR B1

when your eyes or mouth produce liquid.

For teachers: to produce or secrete moisture, such as tears in the eyes or saliva in the mouth.

- The smell of fresh bread made my mouth water.
- Her eyes began to water as she chopped the onions for the soup.

## Examples

- I drink a glass of water every morning.
- The hikers carried extra bottles of water because the weather was extremely hot and dry.
- The availability of clean drinking water remains a critical challenge for urban planners in rapidly developing regions where infrastructure often lags behind population growth.

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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.