reef
reef
Reef (noun) means a ridge of rock, sand, or coral lying at or near the surface of the sea. Example: “Divers explored the coral reef just off the coast.”
noun
1
A ridge of rock, sand, or coral lying at or near the surface of the sea.
"Divers explored the coral reef just off the coast."
"The ship ran aground on a hidden reef near the island."
"Colourful fish darted between the rocks of the reef."
2
A section of a sail that can be rolled up and tied down to reduce its area in strong wind.
"The crew took in a reef as the storm approached."
"She tied the last reef down firmly with a short length of rope."
"With the wind rising, the skipper ordered another reef in the sail."
verb
1
To reduce the area of a sail by rolling or folding part of it.
"They reefed the mainsail before the squall hit."
"We should reef the sail now, before the wind gets any stronger."
"Reefing quickly, the sailors shrank the sail just as the gust arrived."
How to use reef
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA ridge near the water's surface (rock or coral), or, in sailing, to shorten a sail in high wind.
Common pairings
coral reef
reef knot
reef the sail
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Word forms
- Plural
- reefs
- Third person singular
- reefs
- Past tense
- reefed
- Comparative
- reefer, more reef
- Superlative
- reefest, most reef
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Divers explored the coral _____ just off the coast.
Etymology
From Old Norse rif, \"rib, reef,\" the same root that gives us rib.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for reef
See all rhymes for reef →Frequently asked questions
What does “reef” mean?
The word “reef” means a ridge of rock, sand, or coral lying at or near the surface of the sea. In plain terms, a ridge near the water's surface (rock or coral), or, in sailing, to shorten a sail in high wind.
How do you pronounce “reef”?
“Reef” is pronounced reef (/ɹiːf/ in IPA).
How do you use “reef” in a sentence?
Here is “reef” used in a sentence: “Divers explored the coral reef just off the coast.”
What part of speech is “reef”?
Depending on how it is used, “reef” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “reef” come from?
The word “reef” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse rif, \"rib, reef,\" the same root that gives us rib.
Is “reef” a common word?
“Reef” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “reef” have?
“Reef” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a ridge of rock, sand, or coral lying at or near the surface of the sea.
What is the difference between a reef and an atoll?
A reef is simply a ridge of rock, sand, or coral lying at or near the sea surface, while an atoll is a specific ring-shaped formation of coral reef that encircles a lagoon. An atoll is therefore a type of reef with a particular shape, but not all reefs form atolls.
What does it mean to reef a sail?
To reef a sail means to reduce its exposed area by rolling or folding part of it down and securing it, typically done in strong wind to keep a boat under control. This sailing sense is unrelated to the underwater rock or coral formation, though both uses of the word share the same spelling.
Are all reefs made of coral?
No, a reef can be made of rock or sand as well as coral, so not every reef is a coral reef. Coral reefs are simply one common and well-known type, built up over time by living coral organisms.
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