Definition

To make something heavy and difficult to manage by filling it with water, or to soak something completely with water so that it becomes unusable.

Example

The heavy rain began to waterlog the fields, making it hard for the crops to grow.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you see how heavy that boat got after the rain?

Yeah, it really looked waterlogged and hard to move.

I didn't think it could get that bad, but it definitely did.

Next time, we should cover it to prevent it from getting waterlogged.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Waterlog → It is formed from "water" (from Old English "wæter", meaning liquid that falls as rain or flows in rivers) and "log" (from Old English "logg", meaning to become saturated or soaked). The word "waterlog" means to become saturated with water, typically referring to something that has absorbed so much water that it is unable to function properly.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'soaked' ('log') with 'water' — that's why waterlog means to become saturated with water.

Visually Confused Words