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

About 60,000 acres of the swamp are shallow, watery prairies covered with grass, sedges and other aquatic plants rooted in thick beds of peat. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026

The kids' spaces at Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya comprise an oceanfront pool and large aquatic playground, sweeping outdoor jungle gym, and whimsical two-story indoor club with a rundown of activities that thoughtfully integrate Mayan culture. — Gina Kramer, USA Today, 25 July 2026

Noun

Behind that popularity is a surprisingly rich history — one filled with British aristocrats, an affinity for aquatics and a name that doesn't quite match where the breed actually came from. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 24 July 2026

The Queensland state government, which is the major backer of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games with support from the federal and local governments, sent the original concept for the aquatics venue back to planning for budgetary reasons. — ABC News, 23 July 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