H2O

Two hydrogens, one oxygen

H2O is the chemical formula for water—two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom.

The term appears in scientific contexts but also in casual speech as a slightly playful or emphatic way to say water: I need some H2O after that workout.

The formula has become shorthand for water in brand names, health discussions, and jokes about hydration.

bodies

ocean

Massive saltwater body

  • seaSaltwater body, not ocean
  • lakeEnclosed body of freshwater
  • riverLarge flowing watercourse

stream · pond · aquifer · glacier · iceberg · reservoir · creek · spring · groundwater · well

hydration

thirst

Need for fluid

electrolytes · fluids · moisture · drink · replenish · absorb · imbibe · sweat · perspiration · parched

molecule

hydrogen

Simplest atomic element

  • oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
  • covalentSharing electrons between atoms
  • dipoleSeparated opposite charges

polarity · atoms · bonding · chemical · compound · molecular · formula · solvent · angle · electron

states

liquid

Free-flowing substance

  • solidFirm matter state
  • gasFormless, expanding substance
  • iceWater's solid form

steam · vapor · frozen · boiling · freezing · melting · phase · temperature · pressure · sublimation

cycle

evaporation

Liquid turning to gas

snow · vapor · humidity · cloud · runoff · transpiration · infiltration · collection · sublimation · fog

purity

distilled

Purified by vaporization

uncontaminated · pristine · clean · sanitized · unpolluted · deionized · potable · treated · spring · mineral

clarity

transparent

Allowing light through

pellucid · sparkling · glistening · shimmering · turbid · cloudy · murky · sediment · clarity · visibility

essential

life

Animate state

vitality · nourishment · growth · fundamental · indispensable · resource · scarcity · shortage · conservation · access

Categories
Opposites
moisture/hydration state

H2Odry

Free from moisture

dryness · aridity · drought · desiccation · dehydration

chemical composition

H2Ofire

Combustion with flames

CO2 · oil · hydrocarbons · flame · O2

life-sustaining vs. life-threatening substances

H2Opoison

Harmful ingested substance

toxin · venom · acid · cyanide · arsenic

Family

water, waters, watered, watering, waterway, waterfall, underwater, waterproof, watery

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G