a waterfront

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The part of a town or city that is next to a river, lake, or sea.

   Grammar: Countable but usually used with 'the': 'the waterfront'. Can be used before another noun: 'waterfront restaurant'.

   Patterns

   • along the waterfront
   • on the waterfront
   • a waterfront property

   We walked along the waterfront and watched the boats.

   The city is redeveloping its waterfront with new parks and cafes.

   They live in a house on the waterfront.

2. 2noununcountable

   The land at the edge of a body of water, especially as a place for buildings or activities.

   Grammar: Uncountable when referring to the area in general: 'waterfront development'. Often used before nouns.

   Patterns

   • waterfront development
   • waterfront view
   • waterfront land

   The waterfront development includes apartments and shops.

   The hotel has a beautiful waterfront view.

Word forms

Common combinations

waterfront property

Waterfront property is very expensive in this city.

waterfront restaurant

We had dinner at a waterfront restaurant.

along the waterfront

There are many shops along the waterfront.

waterfront view

The room has a lovely waterfront view.

Synonyms and how they differ

seafront

Specifically the part of a town facing the sea, often with a promenade; 'waterfront' can be by a river or lake too.

quayside

The area next to a quay where ships load and unload; more industrial than 'waterfront'.

shoreline

The edge of a sea or lake, often natural; 'waterfront' suggests a developed area with buildings.

Word family

waterfront noun

No common derived forms.

Commonly confused: a waterfront or waterside?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “a waterfront”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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