English Reference
Noun

kayak

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US /ˈkaɪæk/ UK /kˈaɪæk/ kayak UK spelling kayaked, kayaks

n.a small, narrow boat for one or two people that you move using a paddle with a blade at both ends.

n.a light, narrow watercraft propelled by a double-bladed paddle, typically featuring a covered deck and a small cockpit.


SIMPLE

We rented a kayak to explore the lake.

CONTEXTUAL

The guide helped us launch each kayak into the river before we started our trip downstream.

COMPLEX

Experienced paddlers often prefer a sea kayak for coastal expeditions because its longer hull provides better stability and speed in choppy open waters.

Usage

Often used with the verbs 'paddle', 'launch', or 'rent'.


Borrowed from Inuktitut ᖃᔭᖅ (qayaq, “hunter's boat”) (Inuvialuktun), from Proto-Eskimo *qayaʁ. Compare Greenlandic qajaq and Yup'ik qayaq.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin esx-esk-pro *qayaʁ
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated