Phrase guide

first water

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

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

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The highest rank or quality or the greatest degree.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, uncountable

Examples

  • He's a liar, swindler, and hypocrite—a scoundrel of the first water.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

the highest quality gems

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: superiority, high quality

History

Etymology

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