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Synonyms

saltwater

American  
[sawlt-waw-ter, -wot-er] / ˈsɔltˈwɔ tər, -ˈwɒt ər /

adjective

  1. of or relating to salt water.

  2. inhabiting salt water.

    a saltwater fish.


saltwater British  
/ ˈsɔːltˌwɔːtə /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or inhabiting salt water, esp the sea

    saltwater fishes

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

saltwater Scientific  
/ sôltwô′tər /
  1. Consisting of or living in salty water, especially seawater.


Etymology

Origin of saltwater

First recorded in 1520–30; salt 1 + water

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.

See Examples For:

Before starring in “Severance” and “Parks and Recreation,” actor Adam Scott was a self-described outcast making saltwater taffy on the Santa Cruz, Calif., boardwalk.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 25, 2026

But warmer oceans are also often bereft of the high-energy prey these juvenile salmon need for rapid growth when they reach the saltwater.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 29, 2026

Sprawling across 7,190 square feet, the lavish abode also boasts a saltwater pool, a tennis court, a greenhouse, an antique barn, a treehouse, and other features.

From MarketWatch Jul. 22, 2026

Mar Menor, on the south-eastern coast of Murcia, is the largest Mediterranean saltwater lagoon in Europe.

From BBC Jun. 27, 2026

Beatriz’s mom gave her twenty-five dollars, so she’s racking up a T-shirt, saltwater taffy, and a coffee cup.

From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles

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