noun
plural -ters
[noncount] :the clear liquid that has no color, taste, or smell, that falls from clouds as rain, that forms streams, lakes, and seas, and that is used for drinking, washing, etc.
The house has hot and cold running water. [=water
carried by pipes inside a building] -
see also bathwater,
freshwater,
groundwater,
holy water,
ice water,
mineral water,
rainwater,
rose water,
saltwater,
seawater,
soda water,
tap water,
toilet water,
white water
[noncount] :an area of water (such as a lake, river, or ocean)
waters [plural] :a specific area of water especially; :an area of seawater
[noncount] :methods of travel that involve boats and ships
a fish out of water
blood is thicker than water
come hell or high water
dead in the water
hold water
informal :to be possible or believable - usually used in negative statements
in deep water
keep your head above water
like a duck to water
like water
informal :in large amounts
muddy the waters
pass water
medical :to send urine out of the body :urinate
pour/throw cold water on
to say that you do not like (an idea, suggestion, etc.) in a way that stops other people from doing it or from feeling enthusiastic about it
still waters run deep
test the waters/water
tread water
troubled waters
water breaks
US or Brit waters break - used to describe what happens when fluid suddenly comes from a pregnant woman's body because her baby will be born soon
water off a duck's back
informal
If something, such as criticism, advice, etc., is (like) water off a duck's back, it has no effect on someone.
water under the bridge
used to say that something happened in the past and is no longer important or worth arguing about
verb
-ters; -tered; -tering
[+ obj] :to pour water on (something, such as a plant)
[+ obj] :to give (an animal) water to drink
[no obj] of the eyes :to produce tears
[no obj] of the mouth :to become wet with saliva especially because you want to eat or taste something
[+ obj] technical :to supply water to (a region or city) - usually used as (be) watered
water down
[phrasal verb]
water (something) down or water down (something)
to make (an alcoholic drink) weaker by adding water to it
disapproving :to make (something) less effective, powerful, etc.
US