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water

[waw-ter, wot-er] / ˈwɔ tər, ˈwɒt ər /
NOUN
pure liquid hydrogen and oxygen
Synonyms
STRONGEST
drink rain
STRONG
H2O aqua rainwater saliva tears
WEAK
Adam's ale aqua pura
VERB
dampen; put water in
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bathe dilute flood inundate irrigate moisten soak spray sprinkle thin wash wet
STRONG
baptize damp doctor douse drench drool hose imbue saturate souse spatter steep weaken
WEAK
sodden
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dehydrate thicken

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for water?
Few things are as common as water, but it doesn’t have many direct synonyms. However, there are several terms that can be used instead of water in certain situations. Because water molecules consist of a combination of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, it’s chemical symbol is H2O, and it’s sometimes referred to this way. Although this sounds more technical, it’s usually used to be humorous, as in I could go for some cold H2O right now. Sometimes, people refer to water informally with its equivalent word in Spanish, agua. An old-fashioned slang term for water is Adam’s ale (a joke on the notion that water was the only thing that the Biblical Adam had to drink). The Latin phrase aqua pura means and is sometimes used to refer to pure water. Water is sometimes informally referred to as wet stuff. This can refer to water as a drink or to rainwater. Water that comes out of the faucet (the tap) is called tap water. Water is often distinguished between freshwater and salt water. Other specific types of water include seawater (and ocean water), ground water, bathwater, and wastewater. The verb water, as in water the plants, doesn’t have many direct synonyms, but you could use different words depending on how much water is needed, like sprinkle or dampen for a little or soak or saturate for a lot. On a larger scale, such as in the context of farming, you could use the word irrigate. To water down something is to add water to it to dilute or thin it. This term is also commonly used in a figurative way, and dilute is also a good synonym for this sense.
What is a synonym for body of water?
Body of water is a general term for things like oceans, seas, and lakes. It’s not usually used for smaller things like ponds. The term the water can often be used to refer to a body of water in a general way, as in I just love being on the water or We’d have to fly over the water to get there.  Informally, such a body of water might be called the drink—especially when someone or something falls in.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But mining consumes enormous amounts of water, making it subject to the effects of global warming and drought.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Early in the process, the potato's pores are filled with water, leaving no space for oil.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

Last week, the California Coastkeeper Alliance filed a petition asking the State Water Resources Control Board to throw out the facility’s water discharge permit.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Relying on bottled water is expensive, especially for people in rural areas.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

The ice had barely relinquished its grip on the water when I saw it moored on its side, hidden in the reeds, covered in a layer of green slime.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.