water

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [U] a liquid without colour, smell or taste that falls as rain, is in lakes, rivers and seas, and is used for drinking, washing, etc: a glass of water * drinking water * water pollution * clean / dirty water * water shortages * There is hot and cold running water in all the bedrooms. * The water (= the supply of water) was turned off for several hours each day during the drought. seealsoBATHWATER 2 [U] an area of water, especially a lake, river, sea or ocean: We walked down to the water's edge. * She fell into the water. * shallow / deep water * In the lagoon the water was calm. seealsoBACKWATER, BREAKWATER 3 (waters) [pl.] the water in a particular lake, river, sea or ocean: the grey waters of the River Clyde * This species is found in coastal waters around the Indian Ocean. 4 [U] the surface of a mass of water: She dived under the water. * The leaves floated on the water. * He disappeared under the water. * I could see my reflection in the water. seealsoUNDERWATER 5 (waters) [pl.] an area of sea or ocean belonging to a particular country: We were still in British waters. * fishing in international waters seealsoTERRITORIALWATERS HELPNOTE There are many other compounds ending in water. You will find them at their place in the alphabet. IDIOMS by water (formal) using a boat or ship: They reached Naples by water. it's (all) water under the bridge (spoken) used to say that sth happened in the past and is now forgotten or no longer important like water (informal) in large quantities: He spends money like water. (be in / get into) murky / uncharted waters to get into a difficult or dangerous situation that you do not know anything about: The conversation got into the murky waters of jealousy and relationships. not hold water (informal) if an argument, an excuse, a theory, etc. does not hold water, you cannot believe it sb's waters break when a pregnant woman's waters break, the liquid in her WOMB passes out of her body just before the baby is born (like) water off a duck's back (informal) used to say that sth, especially criticism, has no effect on sb/sth: I can't tell my son what to do; it's water off a duck's back with him. moreatBLOOD, COLDadj., DEADadj., DEEPadj., DIPv., DUCKn., FISHn., HEADn., HELL, HOTadj., PASSv., POUR, STILLadj., TESTv., TREADadj. verb 1 [VN] to pour water on plants, etc: to water the plants / garden 2 [V] (of the eyes) to become full of tears: The smoke made my eyes water. 3 [V] (of the mouth) to produce SALIVA: The smells from the kitchen made our mouths water. 4 [VN] to give water to an animal to drink: to water the horses * (humorous) After a tour of the grounds, the guests were fed and watered. 5 [VN] [usuallypassive] (technical) (of a river, etc.) to provide an area of land with water: The valley is watered by a stream. 6 [VN] to add water to an alcoholic drink: watered wine PHRASALVERBS water sth<->down 1 to make a liquid weaker by adding water SYNDILUTE 2 [usuallypassive] to change a speech, a piece of writing, etc. in order to make it less offensive or forceful SYNDILUTE