Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

first water

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: 5.42 in modern English

Syllables: first wa-ter
IPA

16

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The highest quality of gemstones, especially of diamonds and pearls.

Uncountable

noun

The highest rank or quality or the greatest degree.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Who knows in how many unremembered nations’ literatures this has been the Castalian Fountain? or what nymphs presided over it in the Golden Age? It is a gem of the first water which Concord wears in her coronet."
"To be the first water a diamond must be absolutely colorless, very lustrous, and perfectly free from flaws."
"“Here’s one I wrote. My heroine is disporting herself at a ball ‘glittering from head to foot with large diamonds of the first water.’"
"He's a liar, swindler, and hypocrite—a scoundrel of the first water."
"Dave’s just an all-round genius—a genius of the first water, gentlemen;[…]"
"This was manifestly a prig of the first water, and there was no use arguing with him."

Etymology

The term originated in the gemstone trade, where it was used to signify water-like clarity.

Usage

Uncountable

Phrases

of the first water first-degree

Frequently Paired Words

first-degree

Questions

What does first water mean?: The highest quality of gemstones, especially of diamonds and pearls.
Where does first water come from?: The term originated in the gemstone trade, where it was used to signify water-like clarity.

How to pronounce first water

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