salt-water

Salt-water fish swim in a coral reef.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Of or relating to the sea; living in the sea: "salt-water" describes things that are associated with or inhabit salt water, such as oceans or seas, as opposed to fresh water.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The salt-water fish are more colourful than their freshwater cousins. (Fish that live in the ocean or sea.)
  • He prefers salt-water fishing because the catches are larger. (Fishing in the sea rather than in lakes or rivers.)
  • Salt-water marshes are home to many unique plants and animals. (Marshes affected by tidal sea water.)

Advanced Usage

• "salt-water taffy": a type of chewy candy traditionally made near the sea, though it does not actually contain salt water.
  • We bought salt-water taffy at the beach boardwalk. (A popular seaside treat.)
• "salt-water crocodile": the largest living reptile, found in brackish and salt-water habitats in Southeast Asia and Australia.
  • The salt-water crocodile can grow over six metres long. (A dangerous species adapted to coastal waters.)

Variants and Related Words

• Saltwater (adj): an alternative spelling (closed compound) with the same meaning.
  • Saltwater aquariums require more maintenance than freshwater ones. (Tanks for marine fish.)
• Saltiness (n): the quality of being salty.
  • The saltiness of the ocean water makes it undrinkable. (The taste or property of containing salt.)

Synonyms

• Marine: of or relating to the sea.
  • Marine life includes salt-water creatures like whales and corals.
• Seawater: water from the sea (used as a noun or adjective).
  • Seawater is salt-water that covers most of the Earth's surface.

Related Idioms

• "Salt-water in one's veins": a poetic expression meaning one is born to be a sailor or loves the sea.
  • He has salt-water in his veins; he cannot stay away from the ocean. (He is deeply connected to the sea.)