aquatic
uh-KWAT-ik
/əˈkwæt.ɪk/
Relating to water; living, taking place, or growing in or on water.
Applies broadly to fresh water, brackish water, or salt water environments.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin aquaticus, built directly on aqua (water), used since Classical times for water-dwelling flora and fauna.
Word relationships
- marine: Marine specifically refers to oceans and salt water, while aquatic encompasses all water environments including rivers.
- terrestrial: Terrestrial refers to land, whereas aquatic refers to water.
Commonly confused with
- amphibious: Amphibious organisms live both on land and in water; aquatic organisms reside in water.
Word family
- aquatics (noun): Water sports or water plants.
Collocations
- aquatic plants
- aquatic ecosystem
- aquatic life
- aquatic sports
Example sentences
- "Dolphins and sea turtles have evolved specialized adaptations for their aquatic life." Marine Biology
Memory hook
AQUA means water; AQUATIC means living in water. Aquatic = related to water.
When not to use
Do not use for land-bound dry terrestrial species.
Fun facts
- Aquatic plants produce over 50 percent of the world's oxygen, primarily through oceanic phytoplankton.
Related words
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