adj

aground

uh-GROWND

Aground (adj) means of a boat or ship, stuck on the bottom of shallow water or on the shore. Example: “The tanker ran aground on a sandbank during the storm.”

adj

Of a boat or ship, stuck on the bottom of shallow water or on the shore.

"The tanker ran aground on a sandbank during the storm."

How to use aground

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStuck on the ground or seabed, said of boats and ships.

Common pairings

run aground ran aground

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Can you complete this real example?

The tanker ran _____ on a sandbank during the storm.

Etymology

From Middle English agrounde, meaning "on ground" — formed from "a-" plus "ground."

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for aground

pound wound sound bound found round hound mound abound ground around rebound

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Frequently asked questions

What does “aground” mean?

The word “aground” means of a boat or ship, stuck on the bottom of shallow water or on the shore. In plain terms, stuck on the ground or seabed, said of boats and ships.

How do you pronounce “aground”?

“Aground” is pronounced uh-GROWND (/əˈɡɹaʊnd/ in IPA).

How do you use “aground” in a sentence?

Here is “aground” used in a sentence: “The tanker ran aground on a sandbank during the storm.”

What part of speech is “aground”?

“Aground” is an adjective.

Where does the word “aground” come from?

The word “aground” comes from Middle English. From Middle English agrounde, meaning "on ground" — formed from "a-" plus "ground.".

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Vocabulary lists that include aground:

Words with old & middle English origins