sailor
nounUS /ˈseɪ.lɚ/ · UK /ˈseɪ.lə/
Etymology 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.
A person who sails; one whose occupation is sailing or navigating ships or other waterborne craft.
- He's a talented sailor and has spent many years at sea.
In particular, a member of the crew of a (civilian or military) vessel, as opposed to a captain, admiral, etc.; a mariner; a common seaman.
- Merchants, common sailors, captains of vessels, skippers, […] naval officers of all countries, and the Governments of several states on the two continents, were deeply interested in the matter.1873, Jules Verne, chapter I, in [anonymous], transl., Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Seas; […], James R. Osgood edition, Boston, Mass.: Geo[rge] M[urray] Smith & Co., →OCLC, part I, page 3:
- Mary is a sailor dreaming of northern shores lost galleons on the sea Mary ever on her way2008, Cécile Corbel, “Mary”, in Songbook vol. 2 (CD), performed by Cécile Corbel, Brittany: Keltia Musique:
1 more example
- Another sailor was taken into custody.2025 June 13, Rosa Flores, “Missing Navy sailor found dead in Virginia, another sailor in custody”, in CNN:
A person who sails sailing boats (as opposed to boats powered by other means) as a sport or recreation.
Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genera Neptis, Pseudoneptis and Phaedyma, having white markings on a dark base and commonly flying by gliding.
A stiff straw hat with a flat, circular brim and a low, flat crown.
- Straw Sailors. Children's large-leaf straw sailors, in new shapes, smooth or rough straw . Sizes 6 to 64. 80c, $1.00, $1.50 and $2.00. Milan sailors in new, large shapes, with white or cream ribbon.1909, Albert E. Edgar, How to Advertise a Retail Store, Including Mail Order Advertising and General Advertising: A Complete and Comprehensive Manual for Promoting Publicity, page 332:
- […]the trade that was done for some year in sailors for ladies. […] Developments of a fancifu nature in the brim formation in the direction of what is known as a "Breton" sailor, of which the characteristic is a slightly upturned edge, were the first to be made, […] But to-day, with the exception of straw sailors for girls and young ladies at school, there is very little demand for hats of this description.2023 October 20, Harry Inwards, Straw Hats: Their history and manufacture, Good Press:
A brick, for example in a course of brickwork, that is laid vertically on its shortest end (smallest face), with its widest face facing the outside of the wall.
- Synonyms
- jack, jacktar, lobscouser, mariner, matelot, Neptunian, Neptunist, sailor, salt, seafarer, seaman, shipman, squid, swab, swabby, tar, waterman
- Antonyms
- landlubber, landman, landsman, nonsailor
- Derived terms
37 terms
a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor, blue sailor, boardsailor, by-the-wind sailor, curse like a sailor, daysailor, mouth of a sailor, nonsailor, paper sailor, parasailor, ragged sailor, rosewater sailor, roving sailor, sailor collar, sailor dive, sailoress, sailor-fish, sailor fuku, sailor hat, sailoring, sailorize, sailorless, sailorlike, sailorly, sailorman, sailor mouth, sailor plant, sailor-proof, sailorproof, sailor's eyeball, sailor skirt, sailor suit, sailorwoman, swear like a sailor, trailer sailor, turnpike sailor, wandering sailor- Hypernyms
- person
- Hyponyms
70 terms
coaster, crewman, crewperson, crewwoman, matey, merchant mariner, pirate, privateer, sailoress, sailorman, sailorwoman, shantyman, shipmate, submariner, lubber, old salt, pollywog, rosewater sailor, salty dog, seadog, shellback, bargeman, bargewoman, boater, boatman, boatsman, doggerman, rag bagger, trawlerman, whaler, windjammer, yachter, yachtsman, yachtswoman, yachty, abab, bluejacket, galiongee, lascar, able-bodied seaman, admiral, boatswain, boardsman, bosun, bowsman, cabin boy, captain, commodore, cox, coxswain, chief mate, deckhand, ensign, first mate, first officer, flag officer, foretopman, helmsman, leading seaman, leadsman, mate, navigator, ordinary seaman, pilot, rear admiral, shipmaster, shiplord, skipper, steersman, vice admiral- Holonyms
- all hands, crew, lower deck, ship's company