aquatic

[ uh-kwat-ik, uh-kwot- ]

/ əˈkwæt ɪk, əˈkwɒt- /

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See synonyms for: aquatic / aquatics on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of, in, or pertaining to water.

living or growing in water: aquatic plant life.

taking place or practiced on or in water: aquatic sports.

noun

an aquatic plant or animal.

aquatics, sports practiced on or in water.

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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

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Origin of aquatic

1480–90; <Latin aquāticus, equivalent to aqu(a) water + -āticus (see -ate¹, -ic); replacing late Middle English aquatyque<Middle French <Latin, as above

OTHER WORDS FROM aquatic

a·quat·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·a·quat·ic, adjectivetrans·a·quat·ic, adjective

Words nearby aquatic

Aquarids, aquarist, aquarium, Aquarius, aquashow, aquatic, aquatics, aquatint, aquatone, aquavit, aqua vitae

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use aquatic in a sentence

Chlorine from the salt can inhibit fish from spawning and reduce dissolved oxygen levels in the water, which harms fish and other aquatic life.
Fish blood could hold the answer to safer de-icing solutions during snowstorms|By Monika Bleszynski/The Conversation|February 1, 2021|Popular-Science
The aquatic blues of two Williams pictures that hang near “Wave Relief” complement its darker shades.
In the galleries: Immersive exhibit explores a wonderland in blue|Mark Jenkins|January 22, 2021|Washington Post
To monitor aquatic animals and their underwater world, Deng often uses networks of such beacons.
Bye-bye batteries? Power a phone with fabric or a beacon with sound|Kathryn Hulick|January 6, 2021|Science News For Students
These cells detect chemicals produced by many aquatic animals, explains Nicholas Bellono.
Touching allows octopuses to pre-taste their food|Jonathan Lambert|January 4, 2021|Science News For Students

The photos depict nature, mostly in the form of aquatic birds, accommodating itself to AlexRenew’s water-treatment lagoons and the outfall pipes where effluent can enter the river.
In the galleries: Up to his elbows in watery works and lustrous prints|Mark Jenkins|December 18, 2020|Washington Post
Hippopotamuses eat aquatic vegetation, like water hyacinths—loads of it, Irwin learned.
Lake Bacon: The Story of The Man Who Wanted Us to Eat Mississippi Hippos|Jon Mooallem|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Description: A “swamp cabbage” is a semi-aquatic tropical plant.
Craziest SXSW Band Names: Perfect Pussy, Death By Unga Bunga, and More|Marlow Stern|March 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Swimmers now enjoy its 12,000-square-meter aquatic theme park.
Architectural White Elephants: Beijing, London, and the Post-Olympics Curse|Melinda Liu|August 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Paper presented at the 2008 World Aquatic Conference in Colorado Springs, Colo. 12.
15 Shocking Exercise Facts|Anneli Rufus|August 20, 2011|DAILY BEAST
They said that in any case the incident only highlights their worry that the Gulf is an aquatic tinderbox.
Shocking Gulf Firefight Caught on Tape|Michael Adler|July 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The ponds were half covered with the white water-lily, and some other aquatic plants of the country.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil|Maria Graham
Then happened one of those aquatic incidents which lend an atmosphere all their own to amphibious war.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume 2|Ian Hamilton
At the foot of the hill lay a deep morass, covered with the nelumbo and other aquatic plants.
Early Western Travels 1748-1846, Volume XVI|Various
The first aquatic creatures were succeeded by the amphibia, the reptiles.
Astronomy for Amateurs|Camille Flammarion
A little more complicated than that of the fish, this method is probably older, and seems possible only for aquatic animals.
The Natural Philosophy of Love|Remy de Gourmont

British Dictionary definitions for aquatic

aquatic

/ (əˈkwætɪk, əˈkwɒt-) /

adjective

growing, living, or found in water

sport performed in or on water

noun

a marine or freshwater animal or plant

Word Origin for aquatic

C15: from Latin aquāticus, from aqua water

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