English Lexicon

Freshwater

/ˈfrɛʃˌwɔːtər/
nounCEFR B1 (Intermediate)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    Water that is not salty and is found in rivers, lakes, and streams.

    "Freshwater is essential for drinking and irrigation."
  2. 2

    A term used to describe ecosystems that are characterized by low salt concentration.

    "Freshwater ecosystems support a diverse range of plant and animal life."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'freshwater' is derived from the combination of 'fresh', which comes from the Old English 'fresca', meaning 'not salty', and 'water', which has roots in the Proto-Germanic '*watōr'. The term has evolved over centuries to specifically refer to non-saline water bodies such as lakes and rivers.

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