0%

waterworks

wa·ter·works
W w

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [waw-ter-wurks, wot-er-]
    • /ˈwɔ tərˌwɜrks, ˈwɒt ər-/
    • /ˈwɔː.tə.wɜːks/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [waw-ter-wurks, wot-er-]
    • /ˈwɔ tərˌwɜrks, ˈwɒt ər-/

Definitions of waterworks word

  • noun plural waterworks (used with a singular or plural verb) a complete system of reservoirs, pipelines, conduits, etc., by which water is collected, purified, stored, and pumped to urban users. 1
  • noun plural waterworks (used with a singular verb) a pumping station or a purifying station of such a system. 1
  • noun plural waterworks (usually used with a plural verb). Sometimes, waterwork. a spectacular display of water, mechanically produced, as for a pageant. 1
  • noun plural waterworks (used with a singular or plural verb) Slang. tears, or the source of tears: to turn on the waterworks. 1
  • noun plural waterworks Slang. the kidneys. 1
  • noun waterworks An establishment for managing a water supply. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of waterworks

First appearance:

before 1400
One of the 24% oldest English words
1400-50; late Middle English; see water, works

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Waterworks

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

waterworks popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 55% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

waterworks usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for waterworks

noun waterworks

  • tears — the act of tearing.
  • crying — notorious; lamentable (esp in the phrase crying shame)
  • weeping — expressing grief, sorrow, or any overwhelming emotion by shedding tears: weeping multitudes.
  • blubbering — Zoology. the fat layer between the skin and muscle of whales and other cetaceans, from which oil is made.
  • sobbing — to weep with a convulsive catching of the breath.

Top questions with waterworks

  • how to use waterworks?
  • which carnival ships have waterworks?
  • who makes waterworks faucets?
  • where can i buy waterworks?
  • what carnival ships have waterworks?

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?