Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

aqueous

American  
[ey-kwee-uhs, ak-wee-] / ˈeɪ kwi əs, ˈæk wi- /

adjective

  1. of, like, or containing water; watery.

    an aqueous solution.

  2. (of rocks or sediments) formed of matter deposited in or by water.


aqueous British  
/ ˈækwɪ-, ˈeɪkwɪəs /

adjective

  1. of, like, or containing water

  2. dissolved in water

    aqueous ammonia

  3. (of rocks, deposits, etc) formed from material laid down in 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

aqueous Scientific  
/ ākwē-əs /
  1. Chemistry Relating to or dissolved in water.

  2. Geology Formed from matter deposited by water. Certain sedimentary rocks, such as limestone, are aqueous.


Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of aqueous

First recorded in 1635–45; aqu(a) + -eous

Explanation

When something has an aqueous appearance, it looks watery or has the effect of water. Some marble can appear aqueous or have a watery-looking surface pattern. The word aqueous comes from the Latin aqua meaning "water." If you flip over a product package and read its ingredients, often you'll see water listed at the top, which means that whatever is inside is an aqueous solution, or one that contains water. Salt water is an example of an aqueous solution because salt easily dissolves in water. Essentially, something aqueous either resembles water or is made from water.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing aqueous

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "aqueous" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com