water

I UK [ˈwɔːtə(r)] / US [ˈwɔtər] noun
Word forms "water":
singular water plural waters
***

1)

a) [uncountable] the clear liquid that falls as rain and is used for things such as drinking and washing

Soldiers were able to get food and water across the border.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Just add water to the cake mix.

a glass of water

sparkling/carbonated water (= water for drinking that has gas added to it)

b) the supply of water to homes and buildings

the monthly water bill

See:

running water

2) [uncountable] an area of water such as a lake or sea

From the hotel there's a beautiful view of the water.

The hotel grounds slope gently down to the water.

by water (= by boat):

Island residents have their mail delivered by water.

a) [countable/uncountable] the surface of a lake or the sea

The water was calm and still.

swimming under the water

b) waters

[plural] an area of water that belongs to a particular place, state, country etc

The boat sailed into international waters.

British fishing waters

the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea

3) waters

[plural] used for talking about a particular type of situation

young couples thrown headfirst into the unknown waters of parenthood

stormy/turbulent etc waters (= a difficult situation):

There seemed to be stormy waters ahead for the Blair government.

murky waters (= a mysterious or frightening situation):

Someone mentions drugs and the waters turn very murky.

•

throw/pour cold water on something — to do or say something that spoils someone's plans or enthusiasm for doing something

He's always throwing cold water on her ideas.

- someone's waters break

- water off a duck's back

- water under the bridge

See:

baby I, blow I, dead I, deep I, duck I, head I, hell I, hot I

II UK [ˈwɔːtə(r)] / US [ˈwɔtər] verb
Word forms "water":
present tense I/you/we/they water he/she/it waters present participle watering past tense watered past participle watered
*

1) [transitive] to pour water on plants to keep them healthy

Don't forget to water the flowers.

2)

a) [intransitive] if something such as wind makes your eyes water, it makes tears form in your eyes

b) if your mouth waters when you see food, smell food, or think about food, saliva begins to form in your mouth because you are hungry

The smell made my mouth water.

3)

a) [transitive] to give water to an animal

Then they have to feed and water the dogs.

b) humorous to give someone a drink

Have you been fed and watered?

Phrasal verbs:

- water down