What does "waterman" mean?
A seaman, a sailor.
Waterman
name, noun
name, noun ·3 syllables ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A seaman, a sailor.
- Grammar: waterman is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: boatman, aquatic expert, boatmen, ferryman.
- Useful contrasts: inexperienced person, novice, passenger.
- Usage evidence: An elderly sheik shared this little ceremony with us, and afterwards benignly gave the waterman a coin and made him spurt scented water on his face and beard.
How to use "waterman"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "waterman" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "waterman" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "waterman" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "waterman" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "waterman" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "boatman" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "waterman", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A seaman, a sailor. obsolete
- 2 a man who drives or rides in a boat wordnet
- 3 A man who lives or works on the water; a boatman.
- 4 Someone who distributes or supplies water for a living; a water-carrier.
"An elderly sheik shared this little ceremony with us, and afterwards benignly gave the waterman a coin and made him spurt scented water on his face and beard."
- 5 Specifically, an attendant on cab stands who supplies water to the horses. dated
"‘Here you are, sir,’ shouted a strange specimen of the human race, in a sackcloth coat, and apron of the same, who, with a brass label and number round his neck, looked as if he were catalogued in some collection of rarities. This was the waterman."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 A man skilled in multiple aquatic sports disciplines, such as surfing, bodysurfing, undersea diving, canoe paddling, fishing, etc.
Proper Noun
- 1 An occupational surname. countable, uncountable
- 2 A place in the United States:; A village in DeKalb County, Illinois. countable, uncountable
- 3 A place in the United States:; A ghost town in Wheeler County, Oregon. countable, uncountable
- 4 A place in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Kitsap County, Washington. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"An elderly sheik shared this little ceremony with us, and afterwards benignly gave the waterman a coin and made him spurt scented water on his face and beard."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "waterman"?
Common synonyms include: boatman, aquatic expert, boatmen, ferryman, galley slave, gondolier.
How do you use "waterman" in a sentence?
An elderly sheik shared this little ceremony with us, and afterwards benignly gave the waterman a coin and made him spurt scented water on his face and beard.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English waterman, equivalent to water + -man.
Etymology 2
From the occupation of waterman, from water + man.