watered
Americanadjective
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having rivers or streams.
an amply watered area.
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receiving rain or other precipitation.
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sprinkled, irrigated, etc., with water.
a poorly watered garden.
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having a wavy, lustrous pattern or marking.
watered silk.
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(of stock) issued in excess of a company's true worth.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of watered
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at water, -ed 2, -ed 3
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.
The law and its subsequent reauthorizations ultimately made sure that minority citizens’ votes mattered, outlawing policies, such as gerrymandered maps, that watered down their political power.
From Slate • May 1, 2026
Switzerland watered down its proposed capital rules that aimed to keep the bank safe to align with international standards.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
While these tariffs could be watered down given the backdrop of elevated energy prices, Tedford says he expects the Section 301 tariffs to be imposed in some form or another this summer.
From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026
But the BMA ended the talks, saying the terms of the pay progression element had been "watered down" at the last minute.
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
Her mouth watered and she tried the back door.
From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby
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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.