aquatic
Americanadjective
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of, in, or pertaining to water.
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living or growing in water.
aquatic plant life.
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taking place or practiced on or in water.
aquatic sports.
noun
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an aquatic plant or animal.
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aquatics, sports practiced on or in water.
adjective
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growing, living, or found in water
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sport performed in or on water
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of aquatic
1480–90; < Latin aquāticus, equivalent to aqu ( a ) water + -āticus ( see -ate 1, -ic); replacing late Middle English aquatyque < Middle French < Latin, as above
Explanation
If it has to do with water, it's aquatic. If you prefer your volleyball net in a pool, it sounds like you're into aquatic sports. The word aquatic comes from the Latin word aqua, which means water. The adjective also describes something that takes place in water. If you are on a swimming or diving team, you can say you are into aquatic sports, which may take place at an aquatic center. If you visit an aquatic garden, you'll see plants that thrive in water like water lilies and lotus flowers.
Vocabulary lists containing aquatic
Something's Fishy: A Fresh Catch of Aquatic Words
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Elements of the Universe: Aqua ("Water")
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Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
High river temperatures are also leading to concerns for the survival of aquatic life, she added, with water temperatures as high as 28C recorded in the Wye and Usk.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
"This study is designed to elevate the profile of aquatic deoxygenation as a global threat and show that it does not operate in isolation."
From Science Daily ● Jul. 20, 2026
"The Vjosa-Narta landscape, including the Zvernec region, is one of Albania's most valuable natural ecosystems, and its importance extends far beyond the country's borders", Olsi Nika, a biologist and aquatic ecologist, said at the protest.
From Barron's ● Jun. 20, 2026
Catherine Geanuracos, a CicLAvia board member who was an advocate for turning the Silver Lake Reservoir into an aquatic park, joined our conversation and called the idea “eminently feasible.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 20, 2026
The door opened wider and wider, revealing three aquatic robots inside.
From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
