watery

adjective

wa·​tery ˈwȯ-tə-rē How to pronounce watery (audio)
ˈwä-
Synonyms of waterynext
1
a
: consisting of, filled with, or surrounded by water
b
: containing, sodden with, or yielding water or a thin liquid
a watery solution
watery vesicles
2
a
: resembling water or watery matter especially in thin fluidity, soggy texture, paleness, or lack of savor
watery sunlight
a watery soup
watery diarrhea
b
: exhibiting weakness and vapidity : wishy-washy
a watery writing style
waterily
ˈwȯ-tə-rə-lē How to pronounce watery (audio)
ˈwä-
adverb
wateriness
ˈwȯ-tə-rē-nəs How to pronounce watery (audio)
ˈwä-
noun

Synonyms of watery

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Examples of watery in a Sentence

The pollen caused her eyes to become watery. The soup was watery and had no flavor. the watery light of winter
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.
Wildfire smoke may cause coughing, runny nose, or watery eyes. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 In general, older knees also have less lubricating synovial fluid than younger ones and the fluid is more watery and carries fewer nutrients. — Aaron Steckelberg, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 Ship stayed up for another three hours, circling Earth multiple times (and deploying those Starlink satellites) before meeting its own watery end in the northern Pacific Ocean. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2026 Compared to The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum, this serum features an even more lightweight, watery texture. — Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for watery

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of watery was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing watery

Rhymes for watery

See All Rhymes for watery

Browse Nearby Words

waterworthy
watery
water yarrow
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Watery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watery. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

watery

adjective
wa·​tery ˈwȯt-ə-rē How to pronounce watery (audio)
ˈwät-
1
a
: consisting of or filled with water
a watery hole
b
: containing or giving out water or a thin liquid
a watery mixture
watery eyes
2
: being like water especially in thinness, sogginess, paleness, or lack of taste
watery soup

Medical Definition

watery

adjective
wa·​tery ˈwȯt-ə-rē, ˈwät- How to pronounce watery (audio)
1
: consisting of or filled with water
2
: containing, sodden with, or yielding water or a thin liquid
a watery solution
watery stools
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