cold-water

1 of 2

adjective

cold-wa·​ter ˈkōld-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

: having only running water without heat or utility services provided

a cold-water flat

cold water

2 of 2

noun

: depreciation of something as being ill-advised, unwarranted, or worthless

threw cold water on our hopes

Examples of cold-water in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

With 41% of Americans still defaulting to hot, watch for whether that share drops as energy costs rise and cold-water messaging from brands and utilities increases. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026

Allied attributed the result partly to on-site solar power, cold-water detergents and a reclamation system that recirculates 95 percent of the plant’s water. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026

Noun

Related Articles The new cryo tools, which are hand-blown with special snowflakes and made with silicone stems, are meant to be refrigerated, laid on ice or run under cold water before being used in lieu of a face roller or a gua sha. — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026

In Alaska, salmon are one of the main prey sources for belugas—and the fish need cold water to develop their eggs, keep their metabolism stable and prevent energy depletion during long migratory journeys. — Ryan Green, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1942, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1808, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cold-water

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater