WordGarden.iowatery
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈɔːtəri/
US
- /ˈwɔtəri/
Meanings
Adjective
thin, diluted, and lacking richness because it contains too much water
full of water or thin fluid; wet, runny, or tear-filled
pale, faint, or weak in color, light, or expression
Beyond the definition
Something "watery" has a quality that makes you think of water. Very often, it describes food or drink that is too thin because it has been watered down. A watery soup, sauce, or juice feels weak and not rich enough. It can also describe eyes that are full of tears, as in watery eyes when someone is crying, tired, or ill.
The word is also used for things that seem pale or weak. A watery sun gives little warmth, and a watery light can feel faint and washed out. In some contexts, it can describe ground or places that are very wet or full of water after heavy rain.
The word "watery" describes something that has the qualities of water in a way people usually notice as negative or weak. Most often, it means a liquid is too thin and not strong enough. If a soup, sauce, milkshake, or juice is watery, it has too much water in it or not enough body, flavor, or richness. In this sense, the word often suggests disappointment: the thing is not as full, smooth, or satisfying as it should be.
"Watery" is also very common with eyes. Watery eyes are eyes that fill with tears or extra moisture. This can happen because someone is crying, laughing, sick, tired, or reacting to smoke, wind, or allergies. Here, the word does not mean the eyes are weak; it simply means they are wet with tears or moisture.
The word can also describe something pale, faint, or lacking strength. A watery sun is weak and gives little warmth, often because of mist or cloud. Watery light or a watery color can seem washed out rather than clear and strong. In a broader sense, "watery" can describe a place that has a lot of water in it, such as watery ground after heavy rain or a watery landscape filled with pools, marsh, or floodwater.
Historically, the word comes from the Old English wæterig, meaning "like water." That core idea is still there today. Whether it describes thin food, tear-filled eyes, weak light, or very wet land, "watery" usually points to something that seems diluted, pale, or full of water.
Examples
- 1
Cooking
The sauce was too watery, so I let it cook for a few more minutes.
- 2
Physical reaction
My eyes get watery when I cut onions.
- 3
Sad expression
She gave me a watery smile and looked down at the floor.
- Phrasewatery smile
a weak smile, often because someone is sad or close to tears
- 4
Weak sunlight
A watery sun hung behind the clouds all afternoon.
- Phrasea watery sun
a pale, weak sun with little warmth or brightness
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- wateryadjective