What does hydrated mean?
Hydrated describes something that has been supplied with, absorbed, or retained water. People say that a person is hydrated when they have consumed enough water, or that skin is hydrated when it contains adequate moisture. The word can also refer to food, plants, soil, and other materials that have been watered. In chemistry and materials science, “hydrated” has a more technical meaning: a substance contains water as part of its physical or chemical structure. For example, hydrated silica incorporates water into a porous mineral structure, making it useful as a desiccant. The term is often paired with “dehydrated,” its direct opposite. Although “hydrated” can sometimes mean simply moist, it generally suggests an appropriate or sufficient level of water rather than the presence of incidental dampness.
Having been given, absorbed, or supplied with water; containing sufficient moisture.
"The athletes remained hydrated throughout the match."
Common in health, skincare, food, and gardening contexts. “Well hydrated” is a frequent construction.
The third-person singular simple past and past participle of hydrate: to give, absorb, or combine with water.
"The formula hydrated the powder before it was applied."
This inflected form is especially common in scientific, technical, and product descriptions.
In chemistry, hydrated is more than damp: it describes water incorporated into the structure of a substance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hydrated come from?
The word comes through French hydrater, derived from Greek hydōr, meaning “water.” The related English verb “hydrate” was established in the early 19th century, initially in scientific contexts involving the addition or combination of water with substances. Its common modern use for maintaining the body's supply of water developed later.
Related word forms
How hydrated is actually used
The word is especially common in health, fitness, skincare, food, and weather contexts. It is often somewhat formal or technical when used of a chemical compound, while “stay hydrated” is common informal advice.
Easily confused with hydrated
Hydrated means supplied with or containing water, whereas dehydrated means having lost water or moisture.