river
English meaning: River
Definition
A large natural stream of water flowing toward the sea or a lake.
Example
“The river winds gently through the valley toward the distant sea.”
Another example: “Crowds lined the river bank to watch the boat race.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Everyday, neutral; a large flowing watercourse. Used literally and figuratively ('a river of tears'). Common in geography ('the river mouth', 'up the river'). Names usually take 'the'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin "riparia," riverbank, via Old French "riviere."
Synonyms
- stream
- waterway
- watercourse
Related Words
- tributary
- empties
- flows
- tributaries
- headwaters
- romania
- confluence
- catchment
- rises
- watershed
- upstream
- basin
Common Collocations
- flowing river
- river bank
- cross the river
- river mouth
- down the river
Word Forms
river (n); rivers (pl)
Word Tools
Tools & Calculators
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B