water
♦♦♦ wa|ter /w'ɔːtər/ (waters watering watered)
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Water is a clear thin liquid that has no colour or taste when it is pure. It falls from clouds as rain and enters rivers and seas. All animals and people need water in order to live.
Get me a glass of water.
...the sound of water hammering on the metal roof.
...a trio of children playing along the water's edge.
2 [N-PLURAL] with supp
You use waters to refer to a large area of sea, especially the area of sea which is near to a country and which is regarded as belonging to it.
The ship will remain outside Chinese territorial waters.
...the open waters of the Arctic Ocean.
3 [N-PLURAL] adj N
You sometimes use waters to refer to a situation which is very complex or difficult.
...the man brought in to guide him through troubled waters...
The British Government may be in stormy economic waters.
4 [VERB] V n
If you water plants, you pour water over them in order to help them to grow.
He went out to water the plants.
5 [VERB] V
If your eyes water, tears build up in them because they are hurting or because you are upset.
His eyes watered from cigarette smoke.
6 [VERB] V
If you say that your mouth is watering, you mean that you can smell or see some nice food and you might mean that your mouth is producing a liquid.
...cookies to make your mouth water.
see also mouth-watering
7 [PHRASE] V inflects
When a pregnant woman's waters break, the fluid in her womb that surrounds the baby passes out of her body, showing that the baby is ready to be born. A doctor or midwife can break a woman's waters so that the birth can begin.
My waters broke at six in the morning and within four hours Jamie was born.
8 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you say that an event or incident is water under the bridge, you mean that it has happened and cannot now be changed, so there is no point in worrying about it any more.
He was relieved his time in jail was over and regarded it as water under the bridge.
9 [PHRASE]
If you are in deep water, you are in a difficult or awkward situation.
I could tell that we were getting off the subject and into deep water.
10 [PHRASE] V inflects, usu with brd-neg
If an argument or theory does not hold water, it does not seem to be reasonable or be in accordance with the facts.
This argument simply cannot hold water in Europe.
11 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR after v
If you are in hot water, you are in trouble. (INFORMAL)
The company has already been in hot water over high prices this year.
12 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
If you pour cold water on an idea or suggestion, you show that you have a low opinion of it.
City economists pour cold water on the idea that the economic recovery has begun.
13 [PHRASE] V and N inflect
If you test the water or test the waters, you try to find out what reaction an action or idea will get before you do it or tell it to people.
You should be cautious when getting involved and test the water before committing yourself.
14
like water off a duck's back: see duck
to take to something like a duck to water: see duck
to keep your head above water: see headbar|ley wa|ter
[N-UNCOUNT]
Barley water is a drink made from barley. It is sometimes flavoured with orange or lemon.bath wa|ter
also bathwater
[N-UNCOUNT]
Your bath water is the water in which you sit or lie when you have a bath.
to throw the baby out with the bath water: see babydrink|ing wa|ter
[N-UNCOUNT]
Drinking water is water which it is safe to drink.high wa|ter
[N-UNCOUNT]
High water is the time at which the water in a river or sea is at its highest level as a result of the tide.
Fishing is possible for a couple of hours either side of high water.
come hell or high water: see hell
= high tideice wa|ter
[N-UNCOUNT]
Ice water is very cold water served as a drink. (AM)low wa|ter
[N-UNCOUNT]
Low water is the same as low tide.min|er|al wa|ter (mineral waters)
[N-MASS]
Mineral water is water that comes out of the ground naturally and is considered healthy to drink.salt wa|ter
also saltwater
[N-UNCOUNT]
Salt water is water from the sea, which has salt in it.
≠ fresh watersea wa|ter
also seawater
[N-UNCOUNT]
Sea water is salt water from the sea.soda wa|ter
also soda-water
[N-UNCOUNT]
Soda water is fizzy water used for mixing with alcoholic drinks and fruit juice.
= sodatap wa|ter
[N-UNCOUNT]
Tap water is the water that comes out of a tap in a building such as a house or a hotel.toi|let wa|ter (toilet waters)
[N-MASS]
Toilet water is fairly weak and inexpensive perfume.wa|ter bird (water birds)
[N-COUNT]
A water bird is a bird that swims or walks in water, especially lakes and rivers. There are many kinds of water bird.wa|ter bot|tle (water bottles)
[N-COUNT]
A water bottle is a small container for carrying water to drink on a long journey.
see also hot-water bottlewa|ter buf|fa|lo (water buffaloesor water buffalo)
[N-COUNT]
A water buffalo is an animal like a large cow with long horns that curve upwards. In some countries water buffalo are kept for their milk and are used to draw ploughs.
= buffalowa|ter butt (water butts)
[N-COUNT]
A water butt is a large barrel for collecting rain as it flows off a roof. (BRIT; in AM, use rain barrel)wa|ter can|non (water cannonsor water cannon)
[N-COUNT]
A water cannon is a machine which shoots out a large, powerful stream of water. It is used by police to break up crowds of people who are protesting or fighting.wa|ter chest|nut (water chestnuts)
[N-COUNT]
A water chestnut is the thick bottom part of the stem of a plant which grows in China. It is used in Chinese cookery.wa|ter cool|er (water coolers)
1 [N-COUNT]
A water cooler is a machine that dispenses drinking water, especially in an office. (mainly AM)
2 [N-SING]
Water cooler is used in expressions that refer to the informal conversations that people have in their office or workplace.
Three out of four Americans watched Roots, and then the next day could talk about race relations at the water cooler.water down
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you water down a substance, for example food or drink, you add water to it to make it weaker.
You can water down a glass of wine and make it last twice as long...
I bought a water-based paint, then decided to water it down even more.
= dilute
2 [VERB] be V-ed P
If something such as a proposal, speech, or statement is watered down, it is made much weaker and less forceful, or less likely to make people angry.
Proposed legislation affecting bird-keepers has been watered down.
see also watered-down
= tone downwa|ter fea|ture (water features)
[N-COUNT]
A water feature is something such as an artificial pond or waterfall, usually in a garden.wa|ter hole (water holes)
also waterhole
[N-COUNT]
In a desert or other dry area, a water hole is a pool of water where animals can drink.wa|ter jump (water jumps)
[N-COUNT]
A water jump is a fence with a pool of water on the far side of it, which people or horses jump over as part of a race or competition.wa|ter lily (water lilies)
also waterlily
[N-COUNT]
A water lily is a plant with large flat leaves and colourful flowers which floats on the surface of lakes and rivers.wa|ter main (water mains)
[N-COUNT]
A water main is a very large underground pipe used for supplying water to houses and factories.wa|ter mead|ow (water meadows)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
Water meadows are wet fields of grass near a river, which are often flooded. (mainly BRIT)wa|ter pis|tol (water pistols)
[N-COUNT]
A water pistol is a small toy gun which shoots out water.wa|ter polo
[N-UNCOUNT]
Water polo is a game played in a swimming pool in which two teams of swimmers try to score goals with a ball.wa|ter rate (water rates)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
In Britain, the charges made for the use of water from the public water supply are known as the water rates.wa|ter sup|ply (water supplies)
[N-COUNT]
The water supply in an area is the water which is collected and passed through pipes to buildings for people to use.
The town is without electricity and the water supply has been cut off.wa|ter ta|ble (water tables)
[N-COUNT] usu the N
The water table is the level below the surface of the ground where water can be found.
Environmentalists say that diverting water from the river will lower the water table and dry out wells.wa|ter tow|er (water towers)
[N-COUNT]
A water tower is a large tank of water which is placed on a high metal structure so that water can be supplied at a steady pressure to surrounding buildings.wa|ter vole (water voles)
[N-COUNT]
A water vole is a small furry animal that can swim. Water voles live in holes in the banks of rivers. (mainly BRIT)wa|ter wheel (water wheels)
also waterwheel
[N-COUNT]
A water wheel is a large wheel which is turned by water flowing through it. Water wheels are used to provide power to drive machinery.
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Water is a clear thin liquid that has no colour or taste when it is pure. It falls from clouds as rain and enters rivers and seas. All animals and people need water in order to live.
Get me a glass of water.
...the sound of water hammering on the metal roof.
...a trio of children playing along the water's edge.
2 [N-PLURAL] with supp
You use waters to refer to a large area of sea, especially the area of sea which is near to a country and which is regarded as belonging to it.
The ship will remain outside Chinese territorial waters.
...the open waters of the Arctic Ocean.
3 [N-PLURAL] adj N
You sometimes use waters to refer to a situation which is very complex or difficult.
...the man brought in to guide him through troubled waters...
The British Government may be in stormy economic waters.
4 [VERB] V n
If you water plants, you pour water over them in order to help them to grow.
He went out to water the plants.
5 [VERB] V
If your eyes water, tears build up in them because they are hurting or because you are upset.
His eyes watered from cigarette smoke.
6 [VERB] V
If you say that your mouth is watering, you mean that you can smell or see some nice food and you might mean that your mouth is producing a liquid.
...cookies to make your mouth water.
see also mouth-watering
7 [PHRASE] V inflects
When a pregnant woman's waters break, the fluid in her womb that surrounds the baby passes out of her body, showing that the baby is ready to be born. A doctor or midwife can break a woman's waters so that the birth can begin.
My waters broke at six in the morning and within four hours Jamie was born.
8 [PHRASE] v-link PHR
If you say that an event or incident is water under the bridge, you mean that it has happened and cannot now be changed, so there is no point in worrying about it any more.
He was relieved his time in jail was over and regarded it as water under the bridge.
9 [PHRASE]
If you are in deep water, you are in a difficult or awkward situation.
I could tell that we were getting off the subject and into deep water.
10 [PHRASE] V inflects, usu with brd-neg
If an argument or theory does not hold water, it does not seem to be reasonable or be in accordance with the facts.
This argument simply cannot hold water in Europe.
11 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR after v
If you are in hot water, you are in trouble. (INFORMAL)
The company has already been in hot water over high prices this year.
12 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n
If you pour cold water on an idea or suggestion, you show that you have a low opinion of it.
City economists pour cold water on the idea that the economic recovery has begun.
13 [PHRASE] V and N inflect
If you test the water or test the waters, you try to find out what reaction an action or idea will get before you do it or tell it to people.
You should be cautious when getting involved and test the water before committing yourself.
14
like water off a duck's back: see duck
to take to something like a duck to water: see duck
to keep your head above water: see headbar|ley wa|ter
[N-UNCOUNT]
Barley water is a drink made from barley. It is sometimes flavoured with orange or lemon.bath wa|ter
also bathwater
[N-UNCOUNT]
Your bath water is the water in which you sit or lie when you have a bath.
to throw the baby out with the bath water: see babydrink|ing wa|ter
[N-UNCOUNT]
Drinking water is water which it is safe to drink.high wa|ter
[N-UNCOUNT]
High water is the time at which the water in a river or sea is at its highest level as a result of the tide.
Fishing is possible for a couple of hours either side of high water.
come hell or high water: see hell
= high tideice wa|ter
[N-UNCOUNT]
Ice water is very cold water served as a drink. (AM)low wa|ter
[N-UNCOUNT]
Low water is the same as low tide.min|er|al wa|ter (mineral waters)
[N-MASS]
Mineral water is water that comes out of the ground naturally and is considered healthy to drink.salt wa|ter
also saltwater
[N-UNCOUNT]
Salt water is water from the sea, which has salt in it.
≠ fresh watersea wa|ter
also seawater
[N-UNCOUNT]
Sea water is salt water from the sea.soda wa|ter
also soda-water
[N-UNCOUNT]
Soda water is fizzy water used for mixing with alcoholic drinks and fruit juice.
= sodatap wa|ter
[N-UNCOUNT]
Tap water is the water that comes out of a tap in a building such as a house or a hotel.toi|let wa|ter (toilet waters)
[N-MASS]
Toilet water is fairly weak and inexpensive perfume.wa|ter bird (water birds)
[N-COUNT]
A water bird is a bird that swims or walks in water, especially lakes and rivers. There are many kinds of water bird.wa|ter bot|tle (water bottles)
[N-COUNT]
A water bottle is a small container for carrying water to drink on a long journey.
see also hot-water bottlewa|ter buf|fa|lo (water buffaloesor water buffalo)
[N-COUNT]
A water buffalo is an animal like a large cow with long horns that curve upwards. In some countries water buffalo are kept for their milk and are used to draw ploughs.
= buffalowa|ter butt (water butts)
[N-COUNT]
A water butt is a large barrel for collecting rain as it flows off a roof. (BRIT; in AM, use rain barrel)wa|ter can|non (water cannonsor water cannon)
[N-COUNT]
A water cannon is a machine which shoots out a large, powerful stream of water. It is used by police to break up crowds of people who are protesting or fighting.wa|ter chest|nut (water chestnuts)
[N-COUNT]
A water chestnut is the thick bottom part of the stem of a plant which grows in China. It is used in Chinese cookery.wa|ter cool|er (water coolers)
1 [N-COUNT]
A water cooler is a machine that dispenses drinking water, especially in an office. (mainly AM)
2 [N-SING]
Water cooler is used in expressions that refer to the informal conversations that people have in their office or workplace.
Three out of four Americans watched Roots, and then the next day could talk about race relations at the water cooler.water down
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V n P
If you water down a substance, for example food or drink, you add water to it to make it weaker.
You can water down a glass of wine and make it last twice as long...
I bought a water-based paint, then decided to water it down even more.
= dilute
2 [VERB] be V-ed P
If something such as a proposal, speech, or statement is watered down, it is made much weaker and less forceful, or less likely to make people angry.
Proposed legislation affecting bird-keepers has been watered down.
see also watered-down
= tone downwa|ter fea|ture (water features)
[N-COUNT]
A water feature is something such as an artificial pond or waterfall, usually in a garden.wa|ter hole (water holes)
also waterhole
[N-COUNT]
In a desert or other dry area, a water hole is a pool of water where animals can drink.wa|ter jump (water jumps)
[N-COUNT]
A water jump is a fence with a pool of water on the far side of it, which people or horses jump over as part of a race or competition.wa|ter lily (water lilies)
also waterlily
[N-COUNT]
A water lily is a plant with large flat leaves and colourful flowers which floats on the surface of lakes and rivers.wa|ter main (water mains)
[N-COUNT]
A water main is a very large underground pipe used for supplying water to houses and factories.wa|ter mead|ow (water meadows)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
Water meadows are wet fields of grass near a river, which are often flooded. (mainly BRIT)wa|ter pis|tol (water pistols)
[N-COUNT]
A water pistol is a small toy gun which shoots out water.wa|ter polo
[N-UNCOUNT]
Water polo is a game played in a swimming pool in which two teams of swimmers try to score goals with a ball.wa|ter rate (water rates)
[N-COUNT] usu pl
In Britain, the charges made for the use of water from the public water supply are known as the water rates.wa|ter sup|ply (water supplies)
[N-COUNT]
The water supply in an area is the water which is collected and passed through pipes to buildings for people to use.
The town is without electricity and the water supply has been cut off.wa|ter ta|ble (water tables)
[N-COUNT] usu the N
The water table is the level below the surface of the ground where water can be found.
Environmentalists say that diverting water from the river will lower the water table and dry out wells.wa|ter tow|er (water towers)
[N-COUNT]
A water tower is a large tank of water which is placed on a high metal structure so that water can be supplied at a steady pressure to surrounding buildings.wa|ter vole (water voles)
[N-COUNT]
A water vole is a small furry animal that can swim. Water voles live in holes in the banks of rivers. (mainly BRIT)wa|ter wheel (water wheels)
also waterwheel
[N-COUNT]
A water wheel is a large wheel which is turned by water flowing through it. Water wheels are used to provide power to drive machinery.