dishwater

[dish-waw-ter, -wot-er]

noun

1. water in which dishes are, or have been, washed.

dishwater

/ ˈdɪʃˌwɔːtə /

noun

1. water in which dishes and kitchen utensils are or have been washed

2. something resembling this

   that was dishwater, not coffee

Word History and Origins

Origin of dishwater¹

First recorded in 1475–85; dish + water

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. dull as dishwater / ditchwater, extremely dull; boring.

see dull as dishwater.

Example Sentences

With its slow pacing, shaky handheld cameras, dishwater cinematography and unnervingly extreme closeups, it feels more like an intense indie drama than a whimsical tale of a robber with a peculiar M.O.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile, the news is usually pretty slow this time of year so any gaffe is going to get outsized attention because the media is desperate for campaign stories that aren't dull as dishwater.

Read more on Salon

On another visit, a vastly more congenial server instantly went to investigate a cocktail that, according to my notes, consisted of “funk smell, salt, dishwater.”

Read more on Seattle Times

Poultry feathers littered the filthy floor, which was also dripping with animal blood and dirty dishwater.

Read more on Salon

From their desks, nearly 30 stories off the ground, they watched as the sky transformed from hazy, slate blue in the morning to dirty, dishwater gray at noon.

Read more on New York Times

Related Words

• bouillon 
• chowder 
• porridge 
• puree