water cooler
See also: water-cooler and watercooler
English edit
Etymology 1 edit
For the gossip sense, compare scuttlebutt, of similar origin.
Noun edit
water cooler (plural water coolers)
- A dispenser of cooled drinking water.
- (figuratively) A location in the workplace where employees gather to chat or gossip.
Alternative forms edit
Synonyms edit
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
dispenser of cooled drinking water
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location in the workplace
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Etymology 2 edit
Attributive use of the noun.
Adjective edit
water cooler (comparative more water cooler, superlative most water cooler)
- Of the nature of things discussed around a water cooler.
- In those days The Late Show was Monday water cooler topic du jour.
- water-cooler gossip, water-cooler talk, water-cooler conversation, water-cooler discussion
Alternative forms edit
See also edit
Further reading edit
Etymology 3 edit
A category of cooling device.
Noun edit
water cooler (plural water coolers)
- A type of cooling device that uses water as the heat transfer medium.