Make Your Point > Archived Issues > WATERTIGHT

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"WATERTIGHT" Pronunciation: WOT er tite Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like “large” or “late.” They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in “a watertight defense.” 2. After a linking verb, as in "The defense was watertight.”) Meaning: Something watertight is made so well that water can't get into it, like a watertight case for your cell phone. As always, we're interested in the abstract meaning: something watertight is planned or designed so well that nothing can beat it or get around it (or nothing can argue against it.) Other forms: watertightness How to use it: Anything you can't poke holes in, so to speak, can be called watertight. So, talk about watertight excuses or alibis; watertight claims and arguments; watertight plans and systems; watertight changes, repairs, and fixes; watertight contracts, deals, and agreements; watertight legal descriptions and requirements; watertight protection and anonymity, and so on. This is a great word for being both serious ("watertight national security measures") and sarcastic ("Punctuating each word with a dramatic sneeze while calling in sick really made the whole performance watertight.") Have fun in your first week of classroom teaching, as you discover that your watertight rules are actually quite breakable! A kid once told me she couldn't do her homework that week because she had to attend a birthday party. It was totally watertight. Most kids' parties are weeklong rages, right? Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "watertight" means when you can explain it without saying “impenetrable" or "can't argue with it." Think of a time you were totally convinced of something (seriously or sarcastically) and fill in the blank: "The evidence was watertight: clearly, _____." Example: "The evidence was watertight: clearly, textured and lumpy baby food packets are poison, as my daughter would rather starve than swallow a bite of them." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don't go straight to the review now;let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, we're reviewing recently featured words with some activities created with my favorite vocabulary software: Vocabulary Worksheet Factory, made by Schoolhouse Technologies. It's a simple, flexible program that lets you input word lists and definitions, then create customized, fun worksheets for review. We're starting off with very easy activities, then working our way toward harder reviews throughout the month. From yesterday: View Answer: View Try this one today: View A Point Well Made: Petrarch: “Continued work and application form my soul's nourishment. So soon as I commenced to rest and relax I should cease to live.” 1. The opposite of WATERTIGHT is A. SHIPWORTHY B. VULNERABLE C. DROWNED 2. After _____, some of us believe that there's no such thing as a watertight website. A. endless headaches trying to get our pages to look the way we imagine B. news of yet another hack into a large corporate or government site C. enduring some long, flashy intro just to find a phone number Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. B