waterfront
Waterfront (noun) means Land that borders a river, lake, sea, or ocean. Example: “They bought a house right on the waterfront.”
noun
1
Land that borders a river, lake, sea, or ocean.
"They bought a house right on the waterfront."
"The city rebuilt its old waterfront into a park with restaurants and bike paths."
2
The docks and warehouse district of a port town, especially one historically linked to shipping and manual labor.
"His grandfather worked the waterfront for forty years, loading cargo ships."
How to use waterfront
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe strip of land right next to water, whether that means a scenic view or the working docks of a port.
Common pairings
waterfront property
waterfront restaurant
the old waterfront district
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Word forms
- Plural
- waterfronts
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They bought a house right on the _____.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of "water" and "front" — literally the front edge of the land where it meets the water.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “waterfront” mean?
The word “waterfront” means land that borders a river, lake, sea, or ocean. In plain terms, the strip of land right next to water, whether that means a scenic view or the working docks of a port.
How do you use “waterfront” in a sentence?
Here is “waterfront” used in a sentence: “They bought a house right on the waterfront.”
What part of speech is “waterfront”?
“Waterfront” is a noun.
Is “waterfront” a common word?
“Waterfront” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “waterfront” have?
“Waterfront” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: land that borders a river, lake, sea, or ocean.
What is the difference between a waterfront and a shoreline?
A waterfront is land that borders a river, lake, sea, or ocean, often developed with buildings, docks, or promenades. A shoreline is simply the physical edge where land meets water, without necessarily implying any development.
What does waterfront mean in the context of a port town?
In a port town, waterfront can specifically refer to the docks and warehouse district historically linked to shipping and manual labor. This sense highlights the working, industrial character of the area rather than just its location by water.
Is waterfront property always residential?
No, waterfront describes any land bordering water, which can be residential, commercial, industrial, or recreational. The specific use depends on context, such as "waterfront apartments" versus a historic "waterfront district."
