watery

adjective

wa·​tery ˈwȯ-tə-rē 

ˈwä-

1

a

: consisting of, filled with, or surrounded by water

b

: containing, sodden with, or yielding water or a thin liquid

a watery solution

watery vesicles

2

a

: resembling water or watery matter especially in thin fluidity, soggy texture, paleness, or lack of savor

watery sunlight

a watery soup

watery diarrhea

b

: exhibiting weakness and vapidity : wishy-washy

a watery writing style

waterily

ˈwȯ-tə-rə-lē 

ˈwä-

adverb

wateriness

ˈwȯ-tə-rē-nəs 

ˈwä-

noun

Synonyms

• awash
• bathed
• bedraggled
• doused
• dowsed
• drenched
• dripping
• logged
• saturate
• saturated
• soaked
• soaking
• sodden
• soggy
• sopping
• soppy
• soused
• washed
• water-soaked
• watered
• waterlogged
• wet

Examples of watery in a Sentence

The pollen caused her eyes to become watery.

The soup was watery and had no flavor.

the watery light of winter

Recent Examples on the Web

For another end of the world that features not a bang but a whimper, try Julia Armfield’s Private Rites, which stars three sisters dealing with the death of their cruel genius father in the midst of a watery apocalypse. —Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

But as with all slashers worth their mettle, Richard rises from his watery grave (baby Jason Voorhees style) and tries to pounce on Iris, who grabs the gun and fires several shots. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 29 Oct. 2024

Symptoms include runny nose, cough, sore throat, fatigue, watery eyes, headaches and sneezing. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 28 Oct. 2024

Symptoms may include a runny nose, watery eyes, or a rash. —Daniel More, Health, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing watery

• a watery grave

Kids Definition

watery

adjective

wa·​tery ˈwȯt-ə-rē 

ˈwät-

1

a

: consisting of or filled with water

a watery hole

b

: containing or giving out water or a thin liquid

a watery mixture

watery eyes

2

: being like water especially in thinness, sogginess, paleness, or lack of taste

watery soup

Medical Definition

watery

adjective

wa·​tery ˈwȯt-ə-rē, ˈwät- 

1

: consisting of or filled with water

2

: containing, sodden with, or yielding water or a thin liquid

a watery solution

watery stools