cold-water

1 of 2

adjective

cold-wa·​ter ˈkōld-ˌwȯ-tər How to pronounce cold-water (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Use cold-water detergent: If the temperature of your home's water regularly dips to around 60, buy detergent specially formulated for cold water. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025 Meanwhile, cold-water species often see their metabolism rise in warmer waters, meaning there’s less oxygen available. Evan Bush, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
Rinse the area by using a damp cloth from cold water to remove the soapy mixture. Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025 From using cold water for (almost) everything to skipping the bleach on your whites, these are the new rules of laundry. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cold-water

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1942, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1808, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cold-water was in 1808

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Cold-water.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cold-water. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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