boat
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for boat, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A vehicle for travelling on water, generally smaller than a ship.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use boat
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English bāt, an ancient Germanic word for a small vessel.
Full origin of boat →Frequently asked questions
What does “boat” mean?
The word “boat” means a vehicle for travelling on water, generally smaller than a ship. In plain terms, a craft for travelling on water, smaller than a ship.
How do you pronounce “boat”?
“Boat” is pronounced BOHT (/ˈboʊ̯t/ in IPA).
How do you use “boat” in a sentence?
Here is “boat” used in a sentence: “We hired a small boat to explore the lake.”
What part of speech is “boat”?
Depending on how it is used, “boat” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “boat” come from?
The word “boat” comes from Old English. From Old English bāt, an ancient Germanic word for a small vessel.
Is “boat” a common word?
“Boat” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “boat” have?
“Boat” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a vehicle for travelling on water, generally smaller than a ship.
What is the difference between a boat and a ship?
Size is the main distinction: boats are smaller, ships are large and usually built for open-sea or ocean voyages. A common rule of thumb is that a ship can carry a boat aboard, but a boat cannot carry a ship. Lifeboats and small craft stay boats even when carried by a ship.
What are the types of boats?
Boats come in many forms depending on how they are powered and used. Common types include rowing boats, sailing boats, motorboats, canoes, kayaks, dinghies, fishing boats, and ferries. Some rely on oars or paddles, others on sails or engines, but all are watercraft smaller than a ship.
What is an example of a boat?
Everyday examples include a rowing boat on a lake, a small fishing boat, a canoe, a sailing dinghy, or a motorboat. Each carries people or goods across water and is modest in size. A cruise liner or cargo vessel, being far larger and ocean-going, counts as a ship rather than a boat.
Is a yacht a boat?
Yes, a yacht is a type of boat used mainly for leisure, cruising, or racing, whether powered by sail or engine. Smaller yachts are clearly boats; very large luxury yachts blur the line and are sometimes called ships. In everyday use, though, most people class a yacht as a boat.