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.

Some seafarers on the trapped vessels face dwindling fresh water and food supplies, and restocking is difficult and expensive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The surface contains widespread chloride deposits left behind by ancient salty water.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

Although melting snow supplies much of this water, thawing permafrost is becoming increasingly important.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

"If you open up that water meter, it gives them full access to the entire supply of the whole city," Taylor told the BBC.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 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

water

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