What does watery mean?
Watery is an adjective describing something that contains water, resembles water, or has a thin and insipid quality. Its literal uses include watery soup, watery eyes, and a landscape softened by watery light. Figuratively, it can suggest weakness, lack of substance, emotional sensitivity, or even a kind of apologetic manner, as in a watery smile or a watery voice. The word is useful because it carries a stronger sensory association than simply saying that something is diluted: it evokes both moisture and thinness. In food descriptions, watery usually indicates that a dish lacks body or flavor. When applied to people’s eyes or expressions, it is often gentle and descriptive, though it may imply tears, fragility, or sentimentality. Across literal and figurative contexts, the central idea is moisture accompanied by a noticeable thinness or lack of solidity.
adjectiveContaining or resembling water; liquid, thin, or diluted. By extension, lacking strength, substance, or clarity, as in a watery smile or voice.
- Containing or consisting of water.
- Resembling water in appearance, consistency, or movement.
- Thin, weak, or insipid, especially with insufficient substance or flavor.
- Having tears or a moist, tearful appearance, as in watery eyes.
"The morning light cast a watery shimmer across the flooded garden."
"Her eyes were watery with exhaustion after the long flight."
"The soup was watery and needed salt, pepper, and more stock."
One word can make a smile seem apologetic, a voice sound thin, and a bowl of soup taste disappointingly diluted.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does watery come from?
Watery is an English adjective formed from the Germanic noun water with the suffix -y, meaning “resembling or having the nature of” the base word. The adjective developed in Middle English and later came to be used both literally and figuratively for thin, weak, or insipid qualities. Related Germanic forms include Dutch waterig and German wäss(e)rig, all expressing a connection with water.
Related word forms
How watery is actually used
The adjective is common in both formal and informal English. It can be literal, describing liquid content or appearance, or figurative, describing something thin, weak, insipid, or emotionally tearful.
Easily confused with watery
Water is the clear liquid substance itself, whereas watery is an adjective describing something that contains, resembles, or is characterized by water.