brackish

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adjective brack·ish \ ˈbra-kish \

Definition of brackish

1 :somewhat salty

brackish water

2 a :not appealing to the taste

brackish tea

b :repulsive

a brackish personality

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brackishness

noun

See brackish defined for English-language learners

See brackish defined for kids

brackish was our Word of the Day on 05/02/2007. Hear the podcast!

Examples of brackish in a Sentence

the office coffee is often some brackish brew that's been sitting around for a couple of hours
the river becomes brackish as we approach the tidemark

Recent Examples of brackish from the Web

As conditions improve, researchers will measure the salinity of the brackish water.

— lee bergquist, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Texas office of Crane Foundation wiped out by Hurricane Harvey," 30 Aug. 2017
Due to brackish water, the oysters in the area are true perfection: creamy, buttery, and not too briny or fishy.

— julia sayers, AL.com, "The Forgotten Coast: The beach destination you need to know about," 14 Aug. 2017
The Alabama Department of Public Health is warning people with cuts, abrasions, and certain health conditions to avoid swimming in the state's warm bodies of salt or brackish waters.

— carly breit, Country Living, "Beachgoers Beware: There's a Flesh-Eating Bacteria in Alabama's Waters," 13 July 2017
Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring organism that is found in warm brackish waters, such as bays or gulfs, particularly during summer months.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio found in Alabama waters: Is it safe to swim?," 8 July 2017
In a statement, officials said that Vibrio can only be contracted in brackish or salt water.

— justin carissimo, CBS News, "Ala. health officials issue warning about flesh-eating bacteria," 7 July 2017
Diamondback terrapins, which live along the coast from Texas to New England, are the only U.S. turtle that lives in brackish waters.

— janet mcconnaughey, The Seattle Times, "21 young turtles returning home to Louisiana barrier island," 5 July 2017
Despite the toxic military interlude, much living goes on out there, from sea sponges to swamp rabbits, amid brackish lagoons, pine flats and reedy wetlands.

— the new york times, NOLA.com, "Walter Anderson's Horn Island off Mississippi remains a 'natural reality'," 4 July 2017
Despite the toxic military interlude, much living goes on out there, from sea sponges to swamp rabbits, amid brackish lagoons, pine flats and reedy wetlands.

— the new york times, NOLA.com, "Walter Anderson's Horn Island off Mississippi remains a 'natural reality'," 4 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'brackish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

When the word brackish first appeared in English in the 1500s, it simply meant "salty," as did its Dutch ancestor "brak." Then, as now, brackish water could simply be a mixture of saltwater and freshwater. Since that time, however, "brackish" has developed the additional meanings of "unpalatable" or "distasteful" - presumably because of the undrinkable quality of saltwater. "The brackish water that we drink / Creeps with a loathsome slime, / And the bitter bread they weigh in scales / Is full of chalk and lime." As this use from Oscar Wilde's "Ballad of Reading Gaol" illustrates, brackish water can also include things other than salt that make it unpleasant to drink.