Definition

1. Noun (mass noun):
   • Open sea: "blue water" refers to the deep, open ocean, especially when considered as a distinct environment from coastal or inland waters. It often implies areas far from land, where the water is deep and the horizon is unobstructed.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The ship sailed into blue water, leaving the coast far behind. (The vessel moved into the deep, open ocean away from land.)
  • Blue water fishing requires specialized equipment and knowledge of oceanic currents. (Fishing in the open sea demands specific gear and expertise.)
  • The explorers were excited to finally reach blue water after weeks of navigating rivers. (They arrived at the open ocean after traveling through inland waterways.)

Advanced Usage

• "in blue water": in the open sea, away from land.

  • The navy conducts training exercises in blue water to prepare for deep-sea operations. (The military practices in the deep ocean for strategic purposes.)

• "blue-water" (as an adjective): relating to the open sea, often used to describe navies or shipping.

  • A blue-water navy is capable of operating across the world's oceans. (A naval force that can project power far from its home country.)

Variants and Related Words

• Blue-water (adj): of or relating to the open sea.

  • The company specializes in blue-water shipping, transporting goods across oceans. (The firm focuses on international maritime trade.)

• Bluewater (n, variant spelling): same as "blue water," often used in compound terms like "bluewater yacht" or "bluewater cruising."

Synonyms

• Open sea: the part of the ocean not enclosed by land; the high seas.
• Deep sea: the deeper parts of the ocean, often beyond the continental shelf.
• High seas: international waters beyond any country's jurisdiction.

Related Idioms

• "Blue water" (as a standalone idiom): a poetic or nautical term for the ocean itself, emphasizing its vastness and depth.
  • He dreamed of sailing on blue water, free from the constraints of land. (He longed to travel the open ocean.)

Phrasal Verbs

• None directly associated with "blue water" as a noun phrase. However, related verbs include "sail into blue water" or "head for blue water," meaning to navigate toward the open sea.