aqua
gb/ˈækwə/ us/ˈækwə/
B1
English
~ 8400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
a light bluish-green color
A light color between blue and green, like the color of clear sea water.
Usage pattern:
[something] in aqua
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'aqua' with 'aquatic' or with the prefix 'aqua-' in words like 'aquarium'. 'Aqua' alone usually names a specific color, not something related to water in general, especially in everyday speech.
Synonyms
turquoise (Often slightly deeper or greener than aqua, and also used as a noun for a gemstone.)
Antonyms
red (A warm color roughly opposite aqua on standard color wheels.)
Collocations
shades of aqua
|aqua and white
|a touch of aqua
|in aqua
|the color aqua
|aqua accents
Themes
colors
|fashion
|design
|art
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- She painted the kitchen walls a soft aqua to make the room feel brighter.
- The designer added cushions in aqua to bring some color to the gray sofa.
- His eyes were a striking shade of aqua that looked almost unreal.
- Many beach houses use aqua as a main accent color in their decor.
- The bridesmaids wore dresses in different tones of aqua and teal.
Learner examples
- I like the color aqua on my bedroom walls.
- She bought an aqua bag to match her shoes.
- The sea looked bright aqua in the sun.
- He chose aqua for the new company logo.
- We painted the chairs aqua and white.
adjective
B1
property
2
having an aqua color
Being the light blue-green color called aqua.
Usage pattern:
aqua [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners may mix up noun and adjective uses and say *'the wall is an aqua'* instead of 'the wall is aqua' or 'the wall is an aqua color'.
Synonyms
blue-green (A more general descriptive term that can include a wider range of shades than aqua.)
Antonyms
red (An opposite-type color often contrasted with aqua in design and art palettes.)
Collocations
aqua dress
|aqua walls
|aqua tiles
|aqua paint
|aqua swimsuit
|aqua lettering
Themes
colors
|fashion
|design
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- She wore an aqua dress that matched the ocean behind her.
- The bathroom has aqua tiles that make the space feel fresh and clean.
- He chose an aqua background for the website to create a calm mood.
- They bought an aqua sofa as a statement piece for the living room.
- The artist used aqua paint to highlight the waves in the picture.
Learner examples
- I like your aqua shirt.
- We painted the door aqua.
- She has an aqua phone case.
- He bought an aqua car last year.
- The hotel has an aqua pool chair outside.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
3
purified water (ingredient name)
A technical word that means purified water when it appears in lists of ingredients, for example on creams or shampoos.
Usage pattern:
aqua listed as [ingredient]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'aqua' here means 'blue' or 'sea water'. On ingredient lists, it simply means purified water, not a color or a special kind of water.
Synonyms
water (The everyday English word; 'aqua' is the form often used on technical or international ingredient lists.)
Antonyms
oil (In formulations, water-based (aqua) ingredients are often contrasted with oil-based ingredients.)
Collocations
aqua, glycerin, and...
|aqua as the first ingredient
|ingredients: aqua
|aqua (water)
|aqua in cosmetics
Themes
science
|health
|cosmetics
|daily_life
Examples
- On many European cosmetic labels, purified water appears as 'aqua' in the ingredients list.
- If 'aqua' is listed first, it means the product is mainly made of water.
- The lotion contains aqua, plant extracts, and several types of oils.
- In the INCI system, plain water is written as 'aqua'.
- Some consumers look for products where aqua is not the main ingredient.
Learner examples
- The first word on the cream is 'aqua', which means water.
- On this shampoo, 'aqua' is the main ingredient.
- The label says: Ingredients: aqua, alcohol, perfume.
- In many countries, companies write 'aqua' instead of 'water' on the package.
- I checked the bottle and saw that aqua is the first item on the list.
Grammar
Dictionary form
aqua
IPA
GB/ˈækwə/
US/ˈækwə/
Syllables & stress
aqua (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (aqua)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: aqua
- Plural: aquae, aquas
Word family
Forms
aquae
noun
aquas
noun
Related words
aquamarine
noun
Advanced or less common
Expressions
aqua aerobics
1/ˈækwə ɚˈoʊbɪks/
fixed phrase
exercise class done in water
A type of exercise class where people do movements in a pool, usually in waist-deep water.
Examples
- My grandmother goes to aqua aerobics twice a week to stay active without hurting her knees.
- The gym offers aqua aerobics classes for beginners every Monday evening.
- Aqua aerobics is popular with people who want a low-impact workout.
aqua blue
1/ˈækwə blˈu/
fixed phrase
blue shade close to aqua
A light blue color with some green in it, very close to the color aqua.
Examples
- She chose an aqua blue curtain to brighten up the small room.
- The water in the bay was a beautiful aqua blue under the clear sky.
- He painted his bike aqua blue so it would stand out.
aqua gym
1/ˈækwə d͡ʒˈɪm/
fixed phrase
water-based fitness activities
Exercise classes or activities that you do in a pool, such as running or moving your arms and legs in water.
Examples
- The hotel has an aqua gym program every morning in the main pool.
- Many older adults enjoy aqua gym because it is easier on their joints.
- She joined an aqua gym group to make exercise more fun.
aqua park
1/ˈækwə pˈɑɹk/
fixed phrase
water-based amusement park
An outdoor or indoor fun park with water slides, pools, and other water games.
Examples
- We took the kids to an aqua park with huge slides and a lazy river.
- The new aqua park is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the region.
- Tickets to the aqua park are cheaper on weekdays than on weekends.
aqua therapy
1/ˈækwə θˈɛɹəpi/
fixed phrase
physical therapy in a pool
Treatment in which a person does special exercises in water to help with pain, injuries, or movement problems.
Examples
- After his knee surgery, the doctor recommended aqua therapy to help him walk normally again.
- Aqua therapy can reduce stress on the joints while still building strength.
- Some hospitals have special pools for aqua therapy sessions.