dishwater

American  

[dish-waw-ter, -wot-er] / ˈdɪʃˌwɔ tər, -ˌwɒt ər /

noun

1. water in which dishes are, or have been, washed.

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idioms

1. dull as dishwater / ditchwater, extremely dull; boring.

dishwater British  

/ ˈdɪʃˌwɔːtə /

noun

1. water in which dishes and kitchen utensils are or have been washed

2. something resembling this

   that was dishwater, not coffee

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dishwater More Idioms  

1. see dull as dishwater.

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Etymology

Origin of dishwater

First recorded in 1475–85; dish + water

Example Sentences

Even then, though, I won’t like James Whitaker’s cinematography, which goes for a deliberate ugliness but just looks dishwater drab.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

With its slow pacing, shaky handheld cameras, dishwater cinematography and unnervingly extreme closeups, it feels more like an intense indie drama than a whimsical tale of a robber with a peculiar M.O.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

Poultry feathers littered the filthy floor, which was also dripping with animal blood and dirty dishwater.

From Salon • Jul. 19, 2023

From their desks, nearly 30 stories off the ground, they watched as the sky transformed from hazy, slate blue in the morning to dirty, dishwater gray at noon.

From New York Times • Jun. 29, 2023

All I was having was a cup of the free dishwater coffee available to all the warehouse workers.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler

Related Words

• bouillon
• chowder
• porridge
• puree