anchor

13 synonyms for anchor, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A heavy metal device lowered from a boat to grip the seabed and keep the vessel in place.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

support secure hold ground

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

backbone keystone

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

mainstay mooring fasten bedrock linchpin anchorperson lynchpin

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A heavy metal device lowered from a boat to grip the seabed and keep the vessel in place.

“The sailors raised the anchor and set off at first light.”

mainstay mooring support secure fasten bedrock linchpin anchorperson lynchpin backbone keystone hold

2. verb

To fix something firmly in place, or to hold a ship steady with an anchor.

“We anchored the tent with heavy stones so the wind could not lift it.”

ground

How to use anchor

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

drop anchor weigh anchor news anchor anchor a discussion anchor point

Etymology

From Old English ancor, borrowed from Latin ancora, itself from Ancient Greek ankura.

Full origin of anchor →

Frequently asked questions

What does “anchor” mean?

The word “anchor” means a heavy metal device lowered from a boat to grip the seabed and keep the vessel in place. In plain terms, something heavy or fixed that holds another thing steady — literally a ship's anchor, or figuratively a source of stability.

How do you pronounce “anchor”?

“Anchor” is pronounced ANG-kuh (/ˈæŋ.kəː/ in IPA).

How do you use “anchor” in a sentence?

Here is “anchor” used in a sentence: “They dropped anchor in a quiet cove for the night.”

What is another word for “anchor”?

Words with a similar meaning to “anchor” include hold.

What part of speech is “anchor”?

Depending on how it is used, “anchor” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “anchor” come from?

The word “anchor” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old English ancor, borrowed from Latin ancora, itself from Ancient Greek ankura.

Is “anchor” a common word?

“Anchor” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “anchor” have?

“Anchor” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a heavy metal device lowered from a boat to grip the seabed and keep the vessel in place.

Why is a news presenter called an anchor?

A news anchor is the central presenter who holds a television or radio broadcast together while reports come in from correspondents. The usage fits the word's broader sense of something that provides steadiness, support, and a fixed point of reference.

What is the difference between dropping anchor and weighing anchor?

They are opposites. To drop anchor is to lower the anchor so it grips the seabed and holds the vessel in place, while to weigh anchor is to raise it in preparation for sailing away; "weigh" here is an old use of the verb meaning to lift.

Can anchor be used as a verb?

Yes. To anchor is to fix something firmly in place or to hold a ship steady with an anchor, as in "the shelves are anchored to the wall." Figurative uses are common too: a veteran player anchors a team, and a presenter anchors a broadcast.

People also searched

support hold ground secure backbone keystone bedrock anchorperson mainstay linchpin fasten mooring

Nearby words

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