aquatic
uh-KWAT-ik
/əˈkwætɪk/
Relating to water; living in or near water.
A broad term encompassing both freshwater (rivers/lakes) and saltwater (oceans).
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'aqua', this word has been used since the 15th century to describe anything belonging to the water. It is the linguistic cousin of 'aquarium' and 'aqueduct'.
Word relationships
- waterborne: Specifically refers to things carried by water, like diseases.
- terrestrial: Living or growing on land.
Commonly confused with
- marine: Aquatic includes all water; marine is only saltwater.
Word family
- aquarium (noun): A tank for keeping aquatic animals.
- aqueous (adjective): Of or containing water.
Collocations
- aquatic life
- aquatic plants
- aquatic sports
- aquatic ecosystem
Example sentences
- "Aquatic plants play a vital role in oxygenating the water." Description of plant life.
- "The wetlands are home to a diverse range of aquatic species." Discussion on animal habitats.
Memory hook
Think of 'Aqua-man', the hero who lives in the water. Aqua = Water.
When not to use
Avoid using when you specifically mean 'marine' (saltwater) to be more precise.
Fun facts
- The term 'aquatic' can also refer to sports played in water, like water polo.
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.