English Reference
adjective

watered

adj.
US /ˈwɔtɝd/ UK /wˈɔːtəd/ wa·tered

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    given water so that it can grow or stay healthy.

    provided with water, especially in the context of plants, crops, or livestock.

    Simple

    The freshly watered flowers looked bright and healthy in the morning sun.

    In context

    The farmer inspected the newly watered fields, ensuring the irrigation system had reached the furthest corners of the property.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    mixed with water to make a liquid weaker or less strong.

    diluted or thinned by the addition of water; often used figuratively to describe weakened ideas or policies.

    Simple

    The juice tasted watered down because the ice had melted.

    In context

    The committee presented a watered version of the original proposal, stripping away the most controversial environmental regulations to ensure a majority vote.

    Usage

    Often appears in the phrasal form 'watered down'.

    concentratedundiluted
  3. 03 C2 Proficiency TechnicalLiterary

    having a wavy pattern that looks like moving water.

    having a wavy, lustrous, or rippled surface pattern, typically produced on silk or metal.

    Simple

    She wore a beautiful dress made of watered silk.

    In context

    The antique cabinet featured panels of watered maple, which caught the light to create a shimmering, liquid effect.

    moirérippled

Etymology 1

From water + -ed.

Etymology 2

From Middle English watered, watred, ywaterd, y-wattered, i-watred, i-watered, from Old English wæterod, ġewæterod, equivalent to water + -ed. Cognate with West Frisian wetterd, Dutch verwaterd, German bewässert.

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

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Frequent
Updated