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.
Symptoms can include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red/watery eyes, white spots inside the mouth and a rash that begins on the face at the hairline and moves downward on the body. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Common symptoms are severe stomach cramps and watery diarrhea that may contain blood or mucous. — Kimberly Baker, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 The Bristol Stool Scale, developed in 1997, groups stool into seven forms ranging from small hard pellets to watery diarrhea, and gastroenterologists rely on it as a diagnostic tool. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 What’s Happening The Bristol Stool Scale, developed in 1997, classifies stool into seven forms, ranging from small hard pellets to watery diarrhea, and functions as a standard diagnostic tool in gastroenterology. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 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

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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 7 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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