aqua

¹

[ak-wuh, ah-kwuh]

noun

plural

aquae, aquas 

1. Chiefly Pharmacology.

   1. water.

   2. a liquid.

   3. a solution, especially in water.

2. a light greenish-blue color.

adjective

1. having the color aqua.

aqua-

²

1. variant of aqui-.

aqua

/ ˈækwə /

noun

1. water: used in compound names of certain liquid substances (as in aqua regia ) or solutions of substances in water (as in aqua ammoniae ), esp in the names of pharmacological solutions

adjective

1. short for aquamarine

Word History and Origins

Origin of aqua¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin: water

Origin of aqua²

Probably originally attributive use of aqua, or generalized from words in which it is etymologically the head noun of a phrase, as aquamarine, aquatint

Word History and Origins

Origin of aqua¹

Latin: water

Example Sentences

Merchants paused selling piñatas, street food and aquas frescas to take photos of the runners and cheer them on.

From Los Angeles Times

When 83-year-old Maureen Welch set off for her weekly aqua aerobics class in October, she had no idea that her life was about to drastically change.

From BBC

The parents of an 11-year-old girl who drowned at an aqua park have called for tighter regulations so other families do not have to "bury their children".

From BBC

Hundreds of attendees lie on blankets, wearing wireless headphones rimmed with aqua lights.

From Los Angeles Times

Featuring bucket hats, bags, shorts, tops, coverups and more, the collection takes inspiration from the land and the ocean, featuring pieces in “mineral colors,” like aqua, and coral prints.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• broth 
• juice 
• vapor 

When To Use

What does aqua- mean?

Aqua- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “water.” It is occasionally used in a variety of scientific and technical terms.Aquia comes from Latin aqua, meaning “water.” The Greek translation is ​​​​hýdōr, meaning “water,” which is the source of such combining forms as hydro-.What are variants of aqua-?In some terms, aqua- becomes aqui-, as in aquifer, from French aquifère. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article on aqui-.