# sails

/ˈseɪɫz/ (US) · /sˈeɪlz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sails
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 3. ship's sailmaker

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Archaic

a nickname for the person on a ship who makes or fixes the sails.

For teachers: a traditional nautical nickname for the sailmaker on a vessel.

- The captain called for Sails to repair the tear in the main sheet.
- In the age of wooden warships, Sails was one of the most vital specialists on board, responsible for the integrity of the ship's propulsion system.

## Examples

- The sailors raised the sails as the wind picked up.
- The white sails of the yacht were visible from the shore as it crossed the bay.
- Modern racing yachts often use sails made of carbon fiber and other synthetic materials to maximize speed and durability in harsh ocean conditions.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.