waterless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waterless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks water or is devoid of water, often in contexts related to environments, products, or conditions. Example: "The desert is a waterless expanse, where survival is a constant challenge for its inhabitants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The conquest brought us everything good in life God, horses and bulls," says another horseman.From Xico, the conquistadors flogged through freezing mountain passes and waterless terrain to arrive in Tlaxcala, Mexico's smallest state.

The Economist

Between them and him was a waterless ditch, 12 feet (four metres) deep, carved out of the sandy soil.

The Economist

It seems impossible that life could go on in such a waterless place but, however tenuously, it does.The Anabranch used to water a string of 40 big farms along its length, including Bulpunga, home of Keith Forster and his wife, Pauline.

The Economist

And America was talking about creating a "safe corridor" or some other mechanism to help Yazidis down from their sun-baked, waterless last resort.

The Economist

Better health care, organic products on the shelves, and waterless urinals (at the experimental stage now) are clearly part of a bid to woo back middle-class customers.

The Economist

Some places are flush with waterless urinals.

The Economist

The city occupies a small plain between two usually waterless ravines.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is extensive irrigation along the main (east west) section, and the area, otherwise waterless desert, produces fine truck crops.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The desert of western Turkmenistan is an enormous and almost waterless expanse, but its mountainous part, which is an eastern continuation of the Caucasus Mountains, has mineral and fuel resources.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Alexander's march through Gedrosia proved disastrous; waterless desert and shortage of food and fuel caused great suffering, and many, especially women and children, perished in a sudden monsoon flood while encamped in a wadi.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The main hazard of that route was the long waterless stretch before reaching the Green.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing environments, use "waterless" to emphasize the scarcity or complete absence of water, creating a vivid image of dryness and desolation.

Common error

Avoid using "waterless" metaphorically when "dry" or "devoid of" would be more appropriate. "Waterless" is most effective when referring to a physical absence of water.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "waterless" primarily functions to describe a state or condition characterized by the absence of water. Ludwig AI confirms that it’s widely used to depict environments, processes or products that do not contain or require water.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "waterless" is an adjective denoting the absence of water, widely used across diverse contexts, as indicated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly featured in news, encyclopedias and scientific writings, its function is to describe environments, processes and products devoid of water. While synonyms like "arid" or "dry" exist, "waterless" offers a specific emphasis on the lack of water and, as Ludwig's examples show, often has implications concerning arid regions or sustainable technological innovations. While its register is generally neutral, formality can increase based on source type. Avoid overuse in metaphorical contexts for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dry

A general term for the absence of moisture.

without water

Similar to lacking water, emphasizing the absence.

lacking water

A straightforward description of the absence of water.

arid

Focuses on the dryness and infertility of the land.

parched

Implies extreme dryness and thirst.

unwatered

Implies a state of not being supplied with water.

desiccated

Describes something completely dried out, often to the point of decay.

dehydrated

Refers to the state of losing water content.

moisture-free

Highlights the absence of moisture in a more technical context.

xeric

Used in ecological contexts to describe environments with very little moisture.

FAQs

How can I use "waterless" in a sentence?

You can use "waterless" to describe environments lacking water, like "The explorers faced a challenging trek across the "waterless desert"". It can also describe processes or products that don't require water, such as "waterless urinals".

What are some synonyms for "waterless"?

Synonyms for "waterless" include "arid", "parched", and "dry". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "waterless" to describe something that used to have water but doesn't anymore?

Yes, "waterless" can be used to describe something that was once filled with water but is now empty, such as "a "waterless moat"".

What is the difference between "waterless" and "dry"?

"Dry" is a general term indicating the absence of moisture. "Waterless" specifically emphasizes the absence of water, often implying a complete lack thereof. You might say a towel is dry, but a desert is "waterless".