yacht
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for yacht, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sleek boat, often with sails but sometimes engine-powered, used for pleasure cruising or racing.
Synonyms
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 yacht
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Dutch jacht, a shortening of jaghtschip ("pursuit ship") — the light, fast vessels the Dutch once used to chase down pirates. The word came into English after the Dutch gave King Charles II a similar boat as a gift in 1660.
Full origin of yacht →Frequently asked questions
What does “yacht” mean?
The word “yacht” means a sleek boat, often with sails but sometimes engine-powered, used for pleasure cruising or racing. In plain terms, a fancy boat built for pleasure trips rather than cargo or fishing.
How do you pronounce “yacht”?
“Yacht” is pronounced yot (/jɑt/ in IPA).
How do you use “yacht” in a sentence?
Here is “yacht” used in a sentence: “They spent the summer sailing their yacht around the Greek islands.”
What part of speech is “yacht”?
Depending on how it is used, “yacht” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “yacht” come from?
The word “yacht” dates back to around 1660 and comes from Dutch.
Is “yacht” a common word?
“Yacht” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “yacht” have?
“Yacht” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sleek boat, often with sails but sometimes engine-powered, used for pleasure cruising or racing.
What is the difference between a yacht and a boat?
A yacht is a specific type of sleek boat, often fitted with sails but sometimes engine-powered, used mainly for pleasure cruising or racing rather than everyday transport. "Boat" is a much broader term covering any vessel, while yacht implies a more luxurious or leisure-focused vessel.
What is the difference between a yacht and a sailboat?
A sailboat is powered purely by sail, while a yacht can be either sail-powered or engine-powered, and is generally associated with leisure cruising or racing rather than a specific propulsion method. Yacht also tends to carry a connotation of size and luxury that "sailboat" does not.
Can yacht be used as a verb?
Yes, yacht can function as a verb meaning to travel or race by yacht, as in "they yachted along the coast." This verb usage is less common than the noun form but is grammatically standard.