aqua

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   A light greenish-blue color, like clear shallow sea water.

   Grammar: Used like other color nouns: it can follow 'in' or stand alone after 'be'. 'The walls are aqua.'

   Patterns

   • in aqua
   • aqua blue
   • a shade of aqua

   She painted the bathroom walls a soft aqua.

   The ocean near the shore looked aqua in the morning sun.

   Aqua is a popular color for summer clothes.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Having a light greenish-blue color.

   Grammar: Comes before a noun: 'an aqua towel'. It does not usually change form.

   Patterns

   • aqua something
   • aqua-colored

   He wore an aqua shirt to the party.

   The hotel has aqua curtains in every room.

   She chose an aqua cover for her phone.

Common combinations

aqua blue

The sky turned aqua blue just before sunset.

aqua green

The sea was a beautiful aqua green near the reef.

aqua tones

The designer used aqua tones throughout the living room.

aqua color

Aqua color reminds me of tropical beaches.

Synonyms and how they differ

turquoise

Turquoise is often a bit brighter and more blue-green; aqua is usually paler and softer.

cyan

Cyan is a technical printing color, a pure blue-green; aqua is a general, softer color word.

teal

Teal is darker and more blue; aqua is lighter and greener.

Commonly confused: aqua or aquarium?

Practice

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

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