ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sailor

n. countable
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈseɪɫɝ// UK //sˈeɪlɐ// sailor General-service

n. someone who works on a ship or a boat as their job. You can also use it for a person who enjoys sailing as a hobby.

n. a person whose occupation is to assist in the navigation or operation of a ship or boat at sea. Often used to distinguish crew members from officers or to describe someone skilled in handling a sailing vessel.


SIMPLE

The sailor tied a strong knot to secure the boat.

CONTEXTUAL

After months at sea, the sailor was happy to finally see the lights of the harbor.

COMPLEX

Experienced sailors understand that the sea demands constant vigilance, as even a slight change in wind direction can signal an approaching storm.

Synonyms
Origin

Alteration of earlier sailer, from Middle English sailer, sayler, saylere, equivalent to sail + -or. Cognate with German Segler (“sailor”). Eclipsed non-native Middle English marinel, marynell (“sailor”) borrowed from Old French marinel (“sailor”). See mariner.

Idioms1 entry

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