Is Water Wet?

Yes, water is certainly wet.

Scope

For the purposes of this discussion, I am assuming three things.

1. The mass of water in question is not one single molecule (in any direction).

I am not interested in knowing whether or not a single molecule of water is wet because common folk like you and I have no business defining the properties of single molecules of anything. Similarly, I am not entertaining the idea of a “one-molecule-thick ‘sheet’ of water,” because this simply cannot exist in our environment.

2. The water is about room temperature.

I am not interested in describing the wetness of ice, steam, or water in any other states of matter, simply because it is outside the scope of this post.

3. We are discussing pure water unless stated otherwise.

Until you get to the discussion of water and mixing (including impurities), assume all water is H2O and nothing else.

Definitions of “Wet”

This discussion is always one of semantics and comes down to what the word “wet” means. Thus, it seems fair to analyze what exactly the definition of wet is. Dictionaries are the authorities on what words mean, but I know some people like certain dictionaries more than others. To accommodate that, I have compiled definitions from many major online dictionaries.

Merriam-Webster

wet (adjective)

1a. consisting of, containing, covered with, or soaked with liquid (such as water)

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Most people would interpret this definition to immediately include any water as being wet. Since Merriam-Webster used the word “or” in the list in their definition, in order to meet said definition, something would only need to meet one of the criterion in the list. Fortunately for us, water meets all four criteria.

Water…

  1. consists of liquid (water),
  2. contains liquid (water),
  3. is covered with liquid (water), and
  4. is soaked with liquid (water).

It cannot be argued, for the purposes of this definition, that water cannot be a “liquid,” as not only is that obviously false, but Merriam-Webster has done us the luxury of explicitly defining it as an example of a liquid.

Thus, water must be wet.

Dictionary.com

wet (adjective)

1. moistened, covered, or soaked with water or some other liquid
2. in a liquid form or state
3. characterized by the presence or use of water or other liquid

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Once again, it is obvious here that water would be wet.

Water is…

  1. moistened with a liquid,
  2. covered with a liquid,
  3. soaked with a liquid,
  4. in a liquid form or state, and
  5. characterized by the presence or use of a liquid.

Thus, inherently, water must be wet as an intrinsic property of itself.

Wikitionary

wet (adjective)

1. Made up of liquid or moisture, usually (but not always) water
2. Of an object, etc.: covered or impregnated with liquid, usually (but not always) water

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Yet again, I can detect no reasonable argument to these definitions that could exclude water. Water is, at room temperature, made up of liquid. This is further reinforced by the fact that Wikitionary explicitly included water as a liquid for this purpose.

Additionally, they defined wet as “covered or impregnated with liquid,” meaning that water would inherently be covered by a liquid, where the liquid in question is water. Again, Wikitionary has explicitly included water as a liquid for this purpose.

If none of that sealed the deal for you, you may be pleased to learn that the example sentence for the first definition of water looks like this:

“Water is wet.“

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It can’t get any clearer than that.

Thus, water, intrinsic to the properties of itself, is wet.

Cambridge Dictionary

wet (adjective)

with liquid in, on, or around something; not dry

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I will ignore the “not dry” portion of this definition since it is only excluding the obvious antonym of wet.

Water, as the “something” being assessed against the criteria of the definition above…

  1. has liquid in it,
  2. has liquid on it, and
  3. has liquid around it.

Again, through the use of the word “or,” water only needed to meet one of the criterion above to qualify as “wet,” however it met all three.

I will also draw your attention to an example sentence provided under the definitions:

“A lot of the wetness will evaporate before the rain reaches the plant’s roots.“

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In this example sentence, the wetness of rain is being explicitly introduced and discussed. Given that rain is “drops of water from clouds” (source), this must mean that water possesses the property of wetness as well.

The Britannica Dictionary

wet (adjective)

covered or soaked with water or another liquid : not dry

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As we have established before, water is covered with water and soaked with water, thus it cannot fail to fit this definition.

Collins

If something is wet, it is covered in water, rain, sweat, tears, or another liquid.

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wet (adjective)

1. moistened, covered, or saturated with water or other liquid

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wet (adjective)

1. moistened, covered, or soaked with water or some other liquid
2. in a liquid form or state
3. characterized by the presence or use of water or other liquid
7. laden with a comparatively high percent of moisture or vapor, esp. water vapor

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Collins, as you can see, extensively defines “wet” from a few lenses. Fortunately, none of the applicable definitions exclude water.

As we well established before, water is…

  • covered with water,
  • moistened with water,
  • saturated with water,
  • soaked with water,
  • in a liquid form or state, and
  • characterized by the presence or use of a liquid.

Accordingly, water cannot fail to fit at least one of Collins’ above criteria for something to be “wet.”

Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

wet (adjective)

covered with or containing liquid, especially water

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These definitions are well established and consistent with the definitions of other dictionaries. You get the idea.

Something Cannot Moisten/Cover/Contain/Etc. Itself!

You can find the definitions yourself, but, broadly, to cover is “to be over or on top of something.” Any amount of water within the scope of this discussion has other, distinctly separated (and identifiable with equipment) molecules of water over/atop/within/around it.

What is a “different” liquid?

This is not a question about definitions so much as a deeper question of “how similar can two things be before they become the same thing?”

If we assume, for the sake of discussion, that something is only wet when it is covered by/containing/soaked with/saturated with/etc. a different liquid than itself (meaning water cannot make water wet, petroleum cannot make petroleum wet, etc.), then where is the line between two different liquids?

Can water be wet if in the presence of a liquid like petroleum, with which it cannot mix? What about salad dressing, where it always settles out? How about other water-based, but distinctly different, liquids like cooking broth? What about different types of water (pure, fresh, brackish, saltwater, etc.)? Is water dyed two different colors two different liquids? Maybe the presence of impurities means all water is different, all the time? Let’s analyze these options.

Water and Petroleum

10/10

These two liquids are, to most people, obviously different.

They do not easily mix, will not functionally dissolve into one another, and have fundamentally different chemical makeups. Petroleum is functionally insoluble in water.

Accordingly, I give them a 10 out of 10 for how different they could possibly be.

In order, here can be some observations about a situation involving these two liquids:

  1. Water and petroleum are both liquids. (objectively true)
  2. Per the paragraph above, they are distinct and separate liquids. (contextual assertion)
  3. These two different liquids can both be placed in the same container. (objectively true)
  4. Petroleum has a lower density than water. (objectively true)
  5. When in the same container, the petroleum will rest on top of the water. (objectively true)
  6. That water is then “covered by,” “soaked with,” and “around” a distinctly different liquid. (contextually true)

That water is now wet, as per nearly all of the definitions above, even with our situational modifier wherein liquids can only be modified by different liquids.

Water and Salad Dressing

8/10

These two liquids are much closer to each other than in the previous example. Salad dressing is, of course, objectively a liquid. It also, as represented in the minds of the average person, contains the water against which we are contrasting it.

However, there are many oils in most salad dressings and if left to sit for a while, they will fall out of suspension and be easily distinguishable as different liquids: water and dressing. Both still behave like liquids, and they can be mixed back together simply, but they will always separate.

Accordingly, I give this combination an 8 out of 10 for how different the two liquids could be.

In order, here can be some observations about a situation involving these two liquids:

  1. When left to sit, most salad dressings will separate into water and “everything else,” which I will call the dressing. (objectively true)
  2. The dressing is a liquid even when separated from the water, as evident via its behavior and oil content. (objectively true)
  3. Per the paragraph above, water and dressing are different and discernable liquids when separated. (contextual assertion)
  4. These two different liquids can both be placed in the same container, where they may mix until they settle out of suspension. (objectively true)
  5. The water and dressing components have different densities. (objectively true)
  6. When in the same container, the water will rest on top of the dressing. (objectively true)
  7. When separated, the water will then “covered by,” “soaked with,” “around,” or “characterized by the presence of” a distinctly different liquid. (contextually true)

That water is now wet.

Water and Broth

6/10

These two liquids are again closer to each other than in the previous example, as they both have a base of water. However, broth (such as to use in cooking) contains many other ingredients. In fact, the best broth usually contains quite an extensive list of non-water ingredients. I will be ignoring the solid ingredients that some broths include for the purposes of this discussion.

It is easily known that water and broth are different liquids. They have many commonalities, but an untrained person can immediately demonstrate that they are different liquids.

Accordingly, I give this combination a 6 out of 10 for how different the two liquids could possibly be.

In order, here can be some observations about a situation involving these two liquids:

  1. Water and broth can be combined and mixed to form a watery-brothy solution. (objectively true)
  2. The broth behaves as a liquid even before mixing with water. (objectively true)
  3. Per the paragraph above, water and broth are different and discernable liquids if they are not mixed together. (contextual assertion)
  4. These two different liquids can both be placed in the same container, where they may mix together to form a solution. (objectively true)
  5. The mixing of water and broth does not destroy either water or broth, nor does it create a new substance. (objectively true)
  6. When mixed together in the same container, the water will be distributed all throughout the broth. (objectively true)
  7. When mixed, the water will then “covered by,” “soaked with,” “around,” and “characterized by the presence of” a different liquid. (contextually true)

That water is now wet, since it meets all definitions of being exposed to and in contact with a different liquid.

Water and Saltwater

4/10

This is where things start getting pretty tricky. There is a distinct and not insignificant difference between water and saltwater. For most intents and purposes, they are not interchangeable and will produce demonstrably different effects, depending on the use. For this example, let’s assume the saltwater in question is fully saturated with salt for any given volume.

It is known that water and saltwater are both liquids that are rarely interchangeable and serve different functions. While both are edible to humans, the saltwater is not generally regarded as potable, and is dangerous and dehydrating in large quantities, despite being made largely of water. They may have a strong commonality, their water base, but it is easy for an unsuspecting person to realize that they are very different liquids.

Accordingly, I give this combination a 4 out of 10 for how different the two liquids are from each other.

In order, here can be some observations about a situation involving these two liquids:

  1. Water and saltwater can be mixed to form diluted saltwater. (objectively true)
  2. The saltwater is a liquid, even when fully saturated with dissolved salt. (objectively true)
  3. Per the paragraph above, water and saltwater are different and discernable liquids. (contextual assertion)
  4. These two different liquids can both be placed in the same container. (objectively true)
  5. When in a container that is large enough, like some natural bodies of water, the two different liquids may not combine. (objectively true)
  6. The mixing of water and saltwater, should it occur, does not destroy either substance, nor does it create a new substance. (objectively true)
  7. Whether mixed or not, the water will then “covered by,” “soaked with,” “around,” and/or “characterized by the presence of” a detectably different liquid. (contextually true)

That water is now wet when it is mixed because it meets all the definitions of being soaked in, covered by, etc. a liquid that is notably not the same as itself.

The water is also clearly wet when it is not mixed with, but is in contact with saltwater, for the exact same reasons.

Water and Food Dye

2/10

This one is definitely a challenge, since water and food dye have the same base and consistency, and, in certain groups of people, may not be discernible. For this example, let’s assume the food dye in question is full strength for any given volume.

For sighted people who are not colorblind, food dye and water are distinguishably different liquids. However, in most cases, they usually taste the same (if like anything at all), feel the same, smell the same, and, if color is irrelevant, may even be interchangeable. Both substances are edible and potable, and are frequently found (and combined) in the household kitchen.

Accordingly, I give this combination only a 2 out of 10 for how different the two liquids are from each other.

In order, here can be some observations about a situation involving these two liquids:

  1. Water and food dye can be mixed to form water with food dye in it. (objectively true)
  2. The food dye is a liquid before and after being combined with water. (objectively true)
  3. Per the paragraph above, water and food dye are distinguishably different liquids to many people. (contextual assertion)
  4. These two different liquids can both be placed in the same container. (objectively true)
  5. When in a container of any size with a sufficient lack of moving water, the two different liquids may not combine, or may do so slowly. (objectively true)
  6. The mixing of water and food dye, should it occur, does not destroy either substance, nor does it create a new substance. (objectively true)
  7. Whether mixed or not, the water will then “covered by,” “soaked with,” “around,” and/or “characterized by the presence of” a detectably different liquid. (contextually true)

That water is now wet, whether mixed in with the food dye or not, since it meets all the definitions of being exposed to and in contact with a different liquid.

Water and Impurities

1/10

This is the first time that it may not be reasonably possible to tell the difference between the two substances without specialized equipment. I am comparing water with and against any liquid impurity in any quantity that is significant for a given volume of water.

The average person likely cannot tell the difference between pure water, de-ionized water, filtered water, distilled water, spring water, and similar other types of edible, potable, widely-recognized-as-clean sources of water. Even so, many of those types of water are different in composition from the others, which can be proven with testing.

Accordingly, I give this combination the lowest possible score, a 1 out of 10, for how different the two liquids (in this case, pure water, and water with any minor impurity) are from each other.

In order, here can be some observations about a situation involving these two liquids:

  1. Water can be obtained or processed in such a way that it is pure and unadulterated, which is the default state for this entire discussion. (objectively true)
  2. Impurities can be added to water, intentionally or otherwise, with usually little to no detectable difference in the end result. (objectively true)
  3. The impurities added to water can be liquids before being combined with water. (objectively true)
  4. Per the paragraph above, impure water is distinguishable from pure water with the proper equipment. (contextual assertion)
  5. Water and any different impure water can both be placed in the same container. (objectively true)
  6. When in a container of any size with a sufficient lack of moving water, the two different liquids may not combine, or may do so slowly. (objectively true)
  7. Whether or not the water does combine with the impurities, it will likely be regarded as impure. (subjectively true)
  8. Water can be separated from impurities through refinement and other processes. (objectively true)
  9. The mixing of water and impurities, should it occur, does not destroy either substance, nor does it create a new substance. (objectively true)
  10. Whether mixed or not, the pure water will then “covered by,” “soaked with,” “around,” and/or “characterized by the presence of” a liquid that can be experimentally determined to be different in composition. (contextually true)

That water is now wet, whether mixed in with the impurities or not, since it meets all the definitions of being exposed to and in contact with a liquid different than pure water.