aquatic

1 of 2

adjective

aquat·​ic ə-ˈkwä-tik How to pronounce aquatic (audio) -ˈkwa- How to pronounce aquatic (audio)
Synonyms of aquatic
1
: growing or living in or frequenting water
aquatic mosquito larvae
2
: taking place in or on water
aquatic sports
aquatically
ə-ˈkwä-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce aquatic (audio)
-ˈkwa-
adverb

aquatic

2 of 2

noun

1
: an aquatic animal or plant
2
aquatics ə-ˈkwä-tiks How to pronounce aquatic (audio)
-ˈkwa-
 plural in form but singular or plural in construction : water sports

Synonyms of aquatic

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Adjective

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Examples of aquatic in a Sentence

Adjective a lifelong fascination with sharks and other fearsome aquatic creatures
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Cool bergamot and airy tahari water lend it a clean and aquatic scent, while rice milk adds warm creaminess to the mix. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 29 June 2026 That means fewer areas of the Sound were uninhabitable for fish, shellfish and other aquatic animals. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026
Noun
Childcare, sports, arts, aquatics — all of it continues over the next year. — Charlotte Observer, 22 June 2026 They are thought to be one of the first vertebrates that made a partial transition from an aquatic to a terrestrial lifestyle. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for aquatic

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

earlier, "of water," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "living in water," going back to Old French aquatike "having the nature of water," borrowed from Latin aquāticus "of water, growing or living in water," from aqua "water" + -āticus, adjective suffix of appurtenance — more at island entry 1, -age

Noun

derivative of aquatic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aquatic was circa 1600

Rhymes for aquatic

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Browse Nearby Words

aquaterrarium
aquatic
aquatic plant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aquatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aquatic. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

aquatic

1 of 2 adjective
aquat·​ic ə-ˈkwät-ik How to pronounce aquatic (audio) -ˈkwat- How to pronounce aquatic (audio)
1
: growing or living in or often found in water
aquatic animals
2
: performed in or on water
aquatic sports

aquatic

2 of 2 noun
: an aquatic animal or plant

Medical Definition

aquatic

adjective
aquat·​ic ə-ˈkwät-ik How to pronounce aquatic (audio) -ˈkwat- How to pronounce aquatic (audio)
: growing or living in or frequenting water
aquatic mosquito larvae

More from Merriam-Webster on aquatic

Nglish: Translation of aquatic for Spanish Speakers

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