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Aquarius

[ uh-kwair-ee-uhs ]
/ əˈkwɛər i əs /
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noun
genitive A·quar·i·i [uh-kwair-ee-ahy]. /əˈkwɛər iˌaɪ/. Astronomy. the Water Bearer, a zodiacal constellation between Pisces and Capricornus.
Astrology.
  1. the eleventh sign of the zodiac: the fixed air sign.
  2. a person born under this sign, usually between January 20th and February 18th; an Aquarian.
adjective
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WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH Aquarius

aquarium, Aquarius
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT AQUARIUS

What does Aquarius mean?

Aquarius is the name of a constellation that is interpreted as resembling a person carrying a bucket of water. It is sometimes called the Water Bearer or the Water Carrier.

A constellation is a group of stars that appear near each other in the sky—especially a group that has been given a name. Aquarius is considered one of the 12 zodiacal constellations—constellations that appear within a particular portion of the sky called the zodiac.

In astronomy, the zodiac is the band of sky along which the paths of the sun, the moon, and the planets appear to move.

Despite its basis in astronomy, the word zodiac is mainly associated with and most often used in the context of astrology, the nonscientific practice in which the positions of heavenly bodies at certain times are thought to influence or be correlated with human behavior and events. In astrology, zodiac refers to a diagram (often a circular one) representing the zodiac belt and showing the symbols associated with each of the 12 constellations or sections, which are called the signs of the zodiac. Aquarius is one of these signs. It is situated between Capricorn and Pisces and is considered the eleventh sign of the zodiac.

The other signs of the zodiac are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Leo, Cancer, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, and Sagittarius.

The position of the sun in a particular portion of the zodiac at the moment of a person’s birth is thought to correlate with their personality. This is what people are referring to when they talk about their zodiac sign (or star sign or often just sign). People whose sign is Aquarius are those born between January 20 and February 18.

The word Aquarius can be used as a noun to refer to someone who is born during this time, as in I was born in early February, so I’m an Aquarius. The word Aquarian can be used to mean the same thing. It can also be used as an adjective form of Aquarius.

Example: The constellation Aquarius is one of the largest in the sky.

Aquarius dates

People with the sign Aquarius are traditionally considered to be those born in the range of January 20–February 18. However, interpretations vary.

Where does Aquarius come from?

The first records of the word Aquarius in English come from around 1400. The word is taken directly from Latin, in which it means “water carrier,” from the Latin root aqua, meaning “water.”

In astrology, the different signs of the zodiac are thought to be associated with certain personality traits. Traits associated with Aquarius include creativity and confidence. Aquarius and the other signs of the zodiac are often used in the context of a person’s horoscope. The word horoscope can refer to a diagram of the heavens that maps the relative position of planets and the signs of the zodiac. It can also refer to a prediction based (or said to be based) on a person’s sign and the location of other celestial bodies at the time they were born.

The term age of Aquarius is used in the context of astrology to refer to an era believed to bring increased spirituality and harmony in the world. Things associated with or related to this can be described as Aquarian.

Get more insight into what really defines an Aquarius by visiting our article on the many traits of Aquarians.

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What are some other forms related to Aquarius?

What are some synonyms for Aquarius?

What are some words that share a root or word element with Aquarius

What are some words that often get used in discussing Aquarius?

How is Aquarius used in real life?

The word Aquarius is used to refer to the constellation or the sign of the zodiac named after the constellation. In the context of astrology, people associate a number of different traits with the sign Aquarius.

 

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The constellation Aquarius is situated between Capricorn and Pisces.

How to use Aquarius in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for Aquarius

Aquarius
/ (əˈkwɛərɪəs) /

noun Latin genitive Aquarii (əˈkwɛərɪˌaɪ)
astronomy a zodiacal constellation in the S hemisphere lying between Pisces and Capricorn on the ecliptic
astrology
  1. Also called: the Water Carrier the eleventh sign of the zodiac, symbol ♒, having a fixed air classification and ruled by the planets Saturn and Uranus. The sun is in this sign between about Jan 20 and Feb 18
  2. a person born during a period when the sun is in this sign
adjective
astrology born under or characteristic of Aquarius
Also (for senses 2b, 3): Aquarian (əˈkwɛərɪən)

Word Origin for Aquarius

Latin
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

Scientific definitions for Aquarius

Aquarius
[ ə-kwârē-əs ]

A constellation in the Southern Hemisphere near Pisces and Aquila. Aquarius (the Water Bearer) is the 11th sign of the zodiac.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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