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hard water

American  

noun

  1. water that contains magnesium, calcium, or iron salts and therefore forms a soap lather with difficulty.


hard water Cultural  
  1. Water in which dissolved minerals make it difficult to produce a lather with soap.


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Hard water is usually associated with well water in regions where the rocks contain a large proportion of iron-bearing minerals.

Example Sentences

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Other plastics, including ones promoted as highly recyclable, such as clear polyethylene bottles, which hold some medications, or hard water bottles, are being recycled at just 16%.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 14, 2026

She recommends it for tackling hard water stains, accidental hair dye stains, Kool-Aid stains on counters and stubborn rings around kitchen burners.

From Seattle Times Feb. 16, 2024

For example, in hard water situations, the iron and magnesium need to be removed to help the water quality.

From Washington Post Aug. 23, 2022

Do you know if your home has hard water?

From Salon Aug. 19, 2022

Stones are hard, water is wet, objects unsupported fall toward the earth’s center.

From "1984" by George Orwell

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