waterworks

CEFRB1

/ˈwɔːtəˌwəːks/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A system that supplies water to a town or city.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    Any single facility, such as a filtration plant or pumping station, within such a system.

Examples

  • She turned on the waterworks when we told her the old man was dead, but she was asking questions about the will soon enough.

  • The waterworks is located not far from my home.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
1
Synonyms
1

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. Often in the form turn on the waterworks: crying or tears, especially in a way that is considered manipulative or over-emotional.

  2. The water supply system of a district, town, city, or other place, including reservoirs, pipes, and pumps.

  3. A hydraulic apparatus by which a supply of water is furnished for ornamental purposes; also, an ornamental fountain or waterfall.

More examples

In context

  • She is employed by a waterworks at the outskirts of the city.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The city's well-maintained blank provide clean drinking water to all residents.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From water + works (“machine, mechanism; factory or factories”).