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Definition of watercress

watercress

/ˈwɔː.tɚˌkrɛs/
wa · ter · cress
Plural:watercresses
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watercress Lexical Profile

watercress Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The edible leaves and stems of the watercress plant, known for their peppery flavor and commonly used as a leafy vegetable in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish.

Example

"She prepared a delicate salad of fresh watercress, sliced radishes, and a light lemon vinaigrette."

2

A rapidly growing, aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial plant (Nasturtium officinale) of the mustard family, native to Europe and Asia, characterized by small, round, pungent leaves.

Example

"The clear, shallow stream was choked with bright green patches of wild watercress."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for watercress

• Nearby Words

waterbuck
waterbury
watercolor
watercress
waterfall
waterford
waterhen

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'wætercerse', a compound of 'wæter' (water) and 'cerse' (cress), originally indicating its natural habitat in flowing water.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Watercress. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/watercress
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