What does waterglass mean?
Waterglass most commonly means a drinking glass, particularly one used to hold water. The word can also refer to a glass or transparent instrument used to show the level of water in a container or vessel. In industrial and craft contexts, it denotes a sodium silicate solution commonly called water glass, historically valued as a transparent coating, adhesive, or sealing material. These meanings are related through the idea of glass or transparency, but the technical senses are specialized and should be used with clear context. In ordinary conversation, “waterglass” is an elegant, slightly literary alternative to “glass of water” or “drinking glass,” while “water glass” remains especially familiar in British and American English.
nounA drinking glass, especially one intended for water. In technical contexts, the term can also refer to a glass or transparent instrument used to indicate the level of water, or to a solution of sodium silicate in water known as water glass.
- A drinking glass intended for water.
- A glass or transparent instrument used to show or measure the level of water.
- A solution of sodium silicate in water, used in coatings, adhesives, paper treatment, and other industrial processes.
"She placed a chilled waterglass on the table beside the fresh flowers."
"Each guest received a waterglass filled with sparkling water."
"The workshop used a waterglass solution to seal the porous surface."
The standard plural is “waterglasses.”
"The table was set with waterglasses and napkins."
A glass of water can also be a chemical: “waterglass” has long referred to a sodium silicate solution used in industry and crafts.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of waterglass
The ordinary noun is an English compound formed from “water” and “glass,” describing a glass intended for water. The familiar technical compound “water glass,” also found as German “Wasserglas,” refers to sodium silicate because it can form a transparent, glasslike substance. “Glass” itself continues the Old English word “glæs,” from which related forms such as “glaze,” “glassy,” and “glazier” developed.
How waterglass is actually used
The closed spelling “waterglass” is common in technical writing, while “water glass” remains a familiar open spelling, especially for the drinking vessel and the sodium silicate solution. The specialized meanings depend on context.
Easily confused with waterglass
“Water glass” is a two-word spelling used for the same drinking vessel and for sodium silicate, while “waterglass” is the closed form often used in technical writing.