aquatic

1 of 2

adjective

aquat·​ic ə-ˈkwä-tik  -ˈkwa- 

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 

-ˈkwa-

adverb

aquatic

2 of 2

noun

1

: an aquatic animal or plant

2

aquatics ə-ˈkwä-tiks 

-ˈkwa-

plural in form but singular or plural in construction : water sports

Synonyms

Adjective

• submarine
• submerged
• sunken
• underwater

Examples of aquatic in a Sentence

Adjective

a lifelong fascination with sharks and other fearsome aquatic creatures

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency announced on Monday that water as well as aquatic life samples at locations from Bemidji to the Iowa border will be analyzed to provide data on the 650-mile length of the river in the state. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2024

While the aquatic center is set to open Memorial Day weekend, a dedication ceremony will be Saturday, April 20, along with a Wave Fest. —Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 20 Apr. 2024

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

Kids Definition

aquatic

1 of 2 adjective

aquat·​ic ə-ˈkwät-ik  -ˈkwat- 

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  -ˈkwat- 

: growing or living in or frequenting water

aquatic mosquito larvae