board
22 synonyms and 0 antonyms for board, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To get onto a ship, plane, train, or other vehicle to travel.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use board
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English bord, meaning both "plank" and "table." Senses like "meals" and "committee" developed by association with sitting around a table.
Full origin of board →Frequently asked questions
What does “board” mean?
The word “board” means to get onto a ship, plane, train, or other vehicle to travel. In plain terms, depending on context: a plank of wood, a company's governing committee, or getting onto a vehicle.
How do you pronounce “board”?
“Board” is pronounced bawd (/bɔɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “board” in a sentence?
Here is “board” used in a sentence: “Passengers were asked to board the plane by row number.”
What part of speech is “board”?
Depending on how it is used, “board” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “board” come from?
The word “board” comes from Old English. From Old English bord, meaning both "plank" and "table." Senses like "meals" and "committee" developed by association with sitting around a table.
Is “board” a common word?
“Board” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “board” have?
“Board” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to get onto a ship, plane, train, or other vehicle to travel.
What is the difference between boarding and embarking?
Boarding is the everyday word for getting onto any vehicle — a plane, train, bus, or ship. Embarking is more formal and traditionally means going aboard a ship, though it also means setting out on a journey or, figuratively, starting any new venture. You board a train, but you embark on an adventure.
What is the opposite of 'to board'?
The opposite is to disembark — to get off a ship, plane, or train once the journey ends. Everyday alternatives include 'get off' and, for buses and trains, 'alight'. Where boarding means stepping onto a vehicle to travel, disembarking means leaving it at the other end.
What does 'now boarding' mean at an airport?
'Now boarding' is the announcement that passengers may begin getting onto the plane. Ground staff usually call groups forward in an order — by seat row, class, or boarding zone — so the aircraft fills smoothly. When your flight is 'now boarding', it is time to have your pass ready and go to the gate.