river

riv-er · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another river.

  2. 2.

    A large quantity of a flowing substance.

Forms

plural: rivers

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    sell someone down the river — to betray someone
  • •
    up the river — in prison (informal)
  • •
    cry someone a river — dismissive response to complaints
  • •
    cross that river when you come to it — deal with problems as they arise
  • •
    river of no return — a point beyond which there is no going back

Related words

See also: lake, ocean, stream, water
Synonyms: stream, watercourse, waterway

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman rivere, from Old French riviere ("river, riverbank, seashore"), from Vulgar Latin riparia ("riverbank"), from Latin riparius ("of a riverbank"), from ripa ("bank, shore").