pirate
PEYE-ruht
Pirate (noun) means someone who attacks and robs ships at sea. Example: “The museum has a display about pirates who once sailed these waters.”
noun
1
Someone who attacks and robs ships at sea.
"The museum has a display about pirates who once sailed these waters."
"Children dressed up as pirates for the school party."
"The film follows a crew of pirates hunting for buried treasure."
2
Someone who illegally copies or distributes copyrighted material.
"Software pirates sell illegal copies of games for a fraction of the price."
"The author complained that online pirates were sharing her new book for free."
"The site was shut down for hosting pirates who uploaded whole films."
verb
1
To copy or distribute copyrighted material without permission.
"The company sued a website that pirated its films and shared them for free."
"Thousands of fans pirated the album before its official release."
"It's illegal to pirate software for commercial use."
How to use pirate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sea robber, or (as a verb) to illegally copy and share protected content.
Common pairings
pirate ship
pirate a movie
software pirate
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Word forms
- Plural
- pirates
- Third person singular
- pirates
- Past tense
- pirated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The museum has a display about _____ who once sailed these waters.
Etymology
From Old French pirate, from Latin pirata, from Greek peiratēs, related to peira ("attempt, trial"). It replaced the native Old English word wicing, which originally covered both "pirate" and "viking".
Synonyms
View more →
marauder
plunderer
privateer
bootlegger
brigand
sea wolf
highjack
hijack
commandeer
buccaneer
corsair
freebooter
Related words
Rhymes for pirate
See all rhymes for pirate →Frequently asked questions
What does “pirate” mean?
The word “pirate” means someone who attacks and robs ships at sea. In plain terms, a sea robber, or (as a verb) to illegally copy and share protected content.
How do you pronounce “pirate”?
“Pirate” is pronounced PEYE-ruht (/ˈpaɪɹət/ in IPA).
How do you use “pirate” in a sentence?
Here is “pirate” used in a sentence: “The film follows a crew of pirates hunting for buried treasure.”
What is another word for “pirate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pirate” include buccaneer, corsair, freebooter, picaroon, raider and reaver.
What part of speech is “pirate”?
Depending on how it is used, “pirate” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pirate” come from?
The word “pirate” comes from Latin. From Old French pirate, from Latin pirata, from Greek peiratēs, related to peira ("attempt, trial"). It replaced the native Old English word wicing, which originally covered both "pirate" and "viking".
Is “pirate” a common word?
“Pirate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “pirate” have?
“Pirate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who attacks and robs ships at sea.
What is the difference between a "pirate" and a "privateer"?
A pirate attacks and robs ships at sea for personal gain and acts outside the law. A privateer did much the same but carried official government permission to attack enemy ships during wartime, which made their raiding legal in the eyes of their own country.
What is the difference between a "pirate" and a "buccaneer"?
Both attack and rob ships, and the words are often used interchangeably. "Buccaneer" refers more specifically to the raiders who operated in the Caribbean, while "pirate" is the general term for anyone who robs ships at sea.
