B2 noun Neutral

aquatic

/əˈkwæt.ɪk/

A plant or animal that lives in or on water, rather than on land. It can also refer to sports or exercises performed in water, such as swimming or diving.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The store sells a variety of tropical aquatics for home fish tanks.

The shop offers many different warm-water plants and animals for domestic aquariums.

2

The conservation of rare aquatics is a priority for the marine biology department.

Protecting uncommon water-dwelling organisms is a main goal for the sea biology office.

3

I'm thinking about adding some colorful aquatics to my backyard pond.

I am considering putting some bright water plants in the pond behind my house.

Word Family

Noun
aquatic
Adverb
aquatically
Adjective
aquatic
Related
aquarium
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Memory Tip

The prefix 'aqua-' means water. Think of an 'aquarium'—an 'aquatic' is any living thing you would find inside one.

Quick Quiz

The local lake is home to several rare ______, including a unique species of flowering lily.

Correct!

The correct answer is: aquatics

Examples

1

The store sells a variety of tropical aquatics for home fish tanks.

everyday

The shop offers many different warm-water plants and animals for domestic aquariums.

2

The conservation of rare aquatics is a priority for the marine biology department.

formal

Protecting uncommon water-dwelling organisms is a main goal for the sea biology office.

3

I'm thinking about adding some colorful aquatics to my backyard pond.

informal

I am considering putting some bright water plants in the pond behind my house.

4

Research indicates that these specific aquatics are sensitive to changes in pH levels.

academic

Scientific studies show that these particular water organisms react to changes in acidity.

5

Our firm provides professional maintenance for commercial-grade aquatics.

business

Our company offers expert care for water-based features and organisms in business settings.

Word Family

Noun
aquatic
Adverb
aquatically
Adjective
aquatic
Related
aquarium

Common Collocations

freshwater aquatic an organism that lives in water that is not salty
marine aquatic an organism that lives in the sea or ocean
ornamental aquatic a water plant or animal kept for decoration
invasive aquatic a water-dwelling species that causes harm to a new environment
aquatics center a facility specifically designed for water sports

Common Phrases

aquatic life

animals and plants living in water

aquatic sports

sports played in or on water

aquatic ecosystem

a community of organisms in a water environment

Often Confused With

aquatic vs marine

Marine specifically refers to saltwater environments, whereas aquatic covers both freshwater and saltwater.

aquatic vs amphibian

An amphibian lives both on land and in water, while an aquatic lives primarily in the water.

📝

Usage Notes

While 'aquatic' is most commonly used as an adjective, it serves as a noun when referring to a specific water-dwelling organism or the category of water sports (often pluralized as 'aquatics').

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'marine' as a synonym for all aquatic things, but they should remember that 'aquatic' includes lakes and rivers, not just the sea.

💡

Memory Tip

The prefix 'aqua-' means water. Think of an 'aquarium'—an 'aquatic' is any living thing you would find inside one.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'aquaticus', which is derived from 'aqua', the word for water.

Grammar Patterns

Used as a countable noun in biological contexts. Often used in the plural 'aquatics' to refer to sports or groups of organisms. Can function as a collective noun for species in a specific habitat.
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Cultural Context

In many English-speaking countries, an 'aquatics center' is a common public facility for community swimming and competitive water sports.

Quick Quiz

The local lake is home to several rare ______, including a unique species of flowering lily.

Correct!

The correct answer is: aquatics

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