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

Adjective

• submarine
• submerged
• sunken
• underwater

Examples of aquatic in a Sentence

Adjective

a lifelong fascination with sharks and other fearsome aquatic creatures

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Golden State was No. 4 on the vacation rental website’s list of top 10 destinations for swimming, sailing, diving and other aquatic fun. —Sarah Linn, Sacramento Bee, 8 June 2024

Miami Beach officials have long been searching for aquatic solutions to transport people across Biscayne Bay to downtown Miami while avoiding traffic gridlock. —Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 7 June 2024

Noun

The project’s $15 million renovation of the former Indian Trails Aquatic Center has been the largest investment Lenexa community leaders have made into outdoor aquatics. —Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2024

Sacramento offers other city aquatics locations for residents, such as Clunie Pool in East Sacramento’s McKinley Park, McClatchy Park Pool in Central Oak Park or the new North Natomas Aquatics Complex. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 15 May 2024

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

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