watering
/'wɔ:təriɳ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The act of wetting or supplying with water: "watering" refers to the process of applying water to something, such as plants, a lawn, or a garden.
- The act of shedding tears: "watering" can also describe the involuntary production of tears from the eyes.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- Regular watering is essential for a healthy garden. (The act of supplying water is crucial for plant health.)
- The watering of the new soccer field will begin tomorrow. (The process of applying water to the field is scheduled.)
- The strong wind caused a watering of my eyes. (The wind induced the shedding of tears.)
Advanced Usage
- "Watering down": This is a phrasal verb meaning to dilute or weaken the strength, force, or effectiveness of something. It is related to but distinct from the noun "watering".
- The company was accused of watering down its safety standards. (The company weakened its standards.)
- "Mouth-watering": An adjective meaning very appetizing in appearance or smell. It is a compound word.
- The bakery displayed a mouth-watering array of pastries. (The pastries looked very delicious.)
Variants and Related Words
- Water (verb): To pour or supply water to.
- I need to water the plants.
- Watery (adj): Containing or resembling water; thin or diluted.
- The soup was too watery.
- Watered (adj): Having received water; also used in finance to describe stock whose value has been diluted.
- The watered lawn looked green and healthy.
Synonyms
- Irrigation: The artificial application of water to land (more specific and technical than "watering").
- Tearfulness: The state of being inclined to shed tears (a synonym for the "shedding tears" sense).
- Dilution: The action of making a liquid thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent (related to the concept in "watering down").
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Water down: To dilute a liquid; to make something less forceful or extreme.
- He watered down the juice for the children. (He diluted the juice.)
- The film's violence was watered down for television. (The violence was made less intense.)
Related Idioms
- Make one's mouth water: To cause someone to feel a strong desire for something, especially food.
- The smell of barbecue makes my mouth water. (The smell creates a strong appetite.)
- Cry/weep crocodile tears: To pretend to be sad or to shed false tears. This idiom contrasts with the genuine "watering" of eyes.
- He's not really sorry; he's just crying crocodile tears. (His tears are not sincere.)
Noun
- wetting with water
- the lawn needs a great deal of watering
- shedding tears