water crisis
/ˈwɔːtər ˈkraɪsɪs/noun phrase★Intermediate
formal
A critical shortage of clean, accessible water affecting communities, agriculture, or ecosystems
The water crisis in Cape Town forced residents to ration their water use.
This shows how severe water shortages can disrupt daily life.
💡
Often caused by droughts, pollution, or poor water management.
Collocations
water crisis managementefforts to address water shortagesglobal water crisisworldwide water scarcity issues
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
water stressphrase
a less severe but persistent lack of water
water securityphrase
access to reliable water sources
💡Pro Tip
Usage Context
Use in formal discussions about environmental or policy issues.
⚡Gold Rule
Avoid Misuse
Do not use for minor water shortages; reserve for severe cases.
📖Word Origin
Combination of 'water' (the liquid) and 'crisis' (a critical situation)
📝Usage Notes
Used in discussions about environmental sustainability, public health, and policy.
Word Breakdown
water
the liquid essential for life
rootcrisis
a critical or dangerous situation
rootEnglish Dictionary