cold-water

1 of 2

adjective

cold-wa·​ter ˈkōld-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

: having only running water without heat or utility services provided

a cold-water flat

cold water

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noun

: depreciation of something as being ill-advised, unwarranted, or worthless

threw cold water on our hopes

Examples of cold-water in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

With 41% of Americans still defaulting to hot, watch for whether that share drops as energy costs rise and cold-water messaging from brands and utilities increases. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026

Allied attributed the result partly to on-site solar power, cold-water detergents and a reclamation system that recirculates 95 percent of the plant’s water. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026

Noun

That said, Gunn tried to pour cold water on the widespread theory that Adria Arjona will play Wonder Woman in the Superman sequel. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

In contrast, during La Niña events, stronger trade winds along the Equator push cold water that usually sits along the coast of South America toward the central Pacific. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1942, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1808, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cold-water

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater