BRACKISH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does brackish mean? 

• BRACKISH (adjective)
  The adjective BRACKISH has 2 senses:

1. distasteful and unpleasant; spoiled by mixture

2. slightly salty (especially from containing a mixture of seawater and fresh water)

  Familiarity information: BRACKISH used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BRACKISH (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Distasteful and unpleasant; spoiled by mixture

Context example:

a thin brackish gruel

Similar:

unpalatable (not pleasant or acceptable to the taste or mind)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Slightly salty (especially from containing a mixture of seawater and fresh water)

Synonyms:

brackish; briny

Context example:

the briny deep

Similar:

salty (containing or filled with salt)

Derivation:

brackishness (the quality of being salty, as the saltiness of water)

 Context examples 

Easter Island does not have streams that run nonstop but it does have an aquifer that produces freshwater seeps of brackish but drinkable water during low tide.

(Scientists report correlation between locations of Easter Island statues and water resources, Wikinews)

The unhealthy nature of the site; the quantity and quality of the children's food; the brackish, fetid water used in its preparation; the pupils' wretched clothing and accommodations—all these things were discovered, and the discovery produced a result mortifying to Mr. Brocklehurst, but beneficial to the institution.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)