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 of aquatic

Adjective

• underwater
• submarine

Examples of aquatic in a Sentence

Adjective

a lifelong fascination with sharks and other fearsome aquatic creatures

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Climate change, meantime, is endangering all of the aquatic life that’s out there, with the oceans absorbing more than 90% of the heat generated by greenhouse gasses, and about 30% of the carbon dioxide emissions. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 25 May 2026

The latest wave of aquatic accessories feels a little more whimsical, a little more polished—and unmistakably statement-making. —Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 25 May 2026

Noun

Another noticeable increase is related to cleaning/damage deposits for swim meets at the aquatics center, which are increasing from $200 to $300 each. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026

Life jackets can be borrowed for the day at the aquatics center. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026

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

Rhymes for aquatic

• aprotic
• biotic
• chaotic
• cirrhotic
• demotic
• despotic
• dichotic
• erotic
• euphotic
• exotic
• fibrotic
• hieratic

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