waters
waters — noun
1. the stretch of sea beside a country that the country has the right to control an
the stretch of sea beside a country that the country has the right to control and protect
Foreign boats need a permit before they fish in Japanese waters.
fish in [country] waters
The coast guard followed the trawler after it entered Canadian waters.
enter [country] waters
Pilots radioed the navy when the submarine moved into Greek waters.
Cargo ships report to customs when they re-enter Thai territorial waters.
用法筆記
Always plural. Common after a country name or adjectives such as territorial, coastal, or international.
2. the water in a named sea, lake, river, or coastal area, especially when people d
the water in a named sea, lake, river, or coastal area, especially when people describe how it looks or feels
The waters of Lake Como looked silver in the morning light.
the waters of [place]
Divers returned early because the coastal waters were too rough.
coastal waters
Warm waters near the island attract turtles every spring.
Scientists tested the river waters after the factory fire.
用法筆記
Always plural in this meaning. Often follows 'the waters of ...' or an adjective such as warm, dark, or coastal.
3. the liquid around a baby in the womb, especially when people talk about it comin
the liquid around a baby in the womb, especially when people talk about it coming out before birth
Putri's waters broke at home, so her husband drove fast.
waters broke
The nurse said Sofia's waters had broken, but labour was slow.
waters had broken
Doctors watched the baby's heartbeat after Elise's waters broke early.
When the contractions started, Gita worried that her waters might break.
用法筆記
Most often heard in the fixed phrase 'your/her waters break' before birth.
常見錯誤
4. used after certain adjectives to picture a situation as risky, confusing, or lik
used after certain adjectives to picture a situation as risky, confusing, or likely to cause trouble
After the merger failed, the company found itself in troubled waters.
in troubled waters
Owen knew he was entering dangerous waters by challenging the mayor.
enter dangerous waters
The new principal moved into uncharted waters with the sudden strike.
One careless joke left Brandon in hot water with the coach.
用法筆記
Used in set phrases such as in troubled waters, in dangerous waters, and in hot water. Singular water and plural waters both occur depending on the expression.
常見錯誤
5. natural spring water once used, or believed to be useful, for improving health
natural spring water once used, or believed to be useful, for improving health
In 1890, visitors came to Bath to drink the waters.
drink the waters
Doctors once sent tired soldiers to Wales to take the waters.
take the waters
The village advertised its healing waters to summer visitors each year.
Grandfather still believes the healing waters helped his bad knees.
用法筆記
Mostly historical or literary. Often appears with drink, take, or healing.