tap water

Meaning

Tap water is water that comes directly from a faucet or tap, rather than from a bottle. In many English-speaking countries, it is safe to drink and is usually served for free in restaurants if you ask for it.

Examples

• Could we just have some tap water, please?

  Could we just have some tap water, please?

• Is the tap water safe to drink in this city?

  Is the tap water safe to drink in this city?

• I always fill my reusable bottle with tap water before I leave the hotel.

  I always fill my reusable bottle with tap water before I leave the hotel.

• They serve free tap water to all customers at the bar.

  They serve free tap water to all customers at the bar.

• I prefer bottled water because the tap water here tastes a bit like chlorine.

  I prefer bottled water because the tap water here tastes a bit like chlorine.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Can we have some faucet water?

  ✓ Can we have some tap water?

  While 'faucet' is the American term for a tap, the water itself is almost universally called 'tap water'.

• ✗ Is the sink water clean?

  ✓ Is the tap water clean?

  'Sink water' sounds like dirty water sitting in the basin. Use 'tap water' to refer to the drinking water coming out of the tap.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We don't need bottled water, just a jug of ___ water is fine.

  💡 Water from the faucet.

  Show answer

  tap

• Is it safe to drink the ___ water from the bathroom sink?

  💡 Water that isn't bottled.

  Show answer

  tap