WAW-tur-ee
/ˈwɔtɚi/
watery is pronounced WAW-tur-ee (/ˈwɔtɚi/). Watery describes something that contains or resembles water, often implying a lack of substance or clarity. It can refer to liquid content, a pale or translucent appearance, or a thin, runny texture. In metaphorical use, it characterizes speech or observations that seem insubstantial or over-diluted. The term typically conveys moisture, liquidity, or vagueness in tone or quality.
Watery describes something that contains or resembles water, often implying a lack of substance or clarity. It can refer to liquid content, a pale or translucent appearance, or a thin, runny texture. In metaphorical use, it characterizes speech or observations that seem insubstantial or over-diluted. The term typically conveys moisture, liquidity, or vagueness in tone or quality.
"The broth looked watery and needed to be reduced to intensify the flavor."
"Her eyes had a watery sheen after crying."
"The painting had watery colors that blended together."
Pronounce it as /ˈwɔː.tə.ɹi/ in US and UK conventions, with primary stress on the first syllable. For most speakers, the first vowel is an open back vowel like /ɔː/ (US) or /ɒ/ (UK). The middle is a schwa /ə/, and the final is a clear /i/ or /iː/ depending on rapid speech. Listen for a smooth, two-link rhythm: WAW-tuh-ree. Audio reference: consult Cambridge or Forvo for native pronunciations in your dialect.
Common mistakes include reducing the first vowel to a short /a/ or /æ/, producing /ˈwæ.tə.ɹi/ or dropping the second syllable syllabicity. Another error is pronouncing the middle /ə/ too clearly as /ɛ/ or /ɪ/—keep it as a neutral schwa. Finally, trailing /i/ can be realized as a consonant-like /ɪr/ or a dull /iː/; aim for a relaxed /i/ at the end. Practice with slow, connected speech to maintain the correct rhythm.
In US English, the first vowel leans toward /ɔː/ (open-mid back) with rhotic /ɹ/ to end. UK English often uses /ɒ/ for the first vowel and non-rhotic /ɜː/ resolution after t; some speakers may elide the /t/ slightly. Australian English typically retains /ɒ/ or /ɔː/ depending on speaker, with a softer trailing /ɹ/ or almost silent /ɹ/ in rapid speech. Overall, US rhotics tend to maintain /ɹ/; UK accents may subtly reduce the /t/ and vary vowel quality; AU shows intermediate vowels and practical flapping avoidance.
The difficulty lies in balancing three adjacent vowel sounds quickly: /ɔː/ or /ɒ/ then the unstressed /ə/ and finally /i/. This demands precise tongue configuration: a deep back tongue position for the first vowel, neutral central tongue for the schwa, then a high-front vowel for the final /i/. The sequence can blur in rapid speech, making the middle /ə/ vulnerable to reduction or shifting. Awareness of stress and smooth linking helps maintain clarity.
A unique aspect is the potential subtleness of the first consonant cluster. Because /t/ in 'watery' often lands in a light, unreleased position in fast speech, listeners may perceive a slight glottal stop or a softened /t/. This softening can affect perceived rhythm and can make the word sound like 'wah-uh-ree' to non-natives. Practicing with careful articulation of /t/ and a clear release helps maintain the standard pronunciation.
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Watery comes from the noun water, with the typical English adjectival suffix -y indicating a characteristic or relation. The sense evolves from literally containing water or being like water, to more figurative meanings such as dilute, pale, or insubstantial. The word water itself traces to Old English waeter (also wæter), from Proto-Germanic waþar, related to Gothic watō, and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European root *wódr- or *wódrō, meaning water or liquid. Over time, watery broadened from describing physical moisture to describing color (light, pale), texture (thin, runny), and even metaphorical qualities (insubstantial, weak, vague). The first English usages appear in the medieval period, with adjectives formed to denote characteristic attributes of substances, colors, or appearances. In modern usage, watery frequently pairs with nouns denoting liquids or light effects (water, eyes, soup, soup-like colors) and can contribute nuanced shading from literal water content to figurative weakness or lack of depth.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "watery" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "watery"
-rry sounds
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