sail
sayl
Sail (noun) means a large piece of fabric rigged on a boat to catch the wind and drive it forward. Example: “A strong wind filled the sail and the little boat shot forward.”
noun
1
A large piece of fabric rigged on a boat to catch the wind and drive it forward.
"A strong wind filled the sail and the little boat shot forward."
"The torn sail had to be mended before they could leave."
"The crew hoisted the mainsail as soon as they cleared the harbor."
verb
1
To travel across water using wind power or, more generally, by boat or ship.
"Every summer my uncle sails his small boat along the coast."
"They sailed across the Atlantic in just under three weeks."
"We sailed past the lighthouse just before sunset."
2
To move smoothly and effortlessly through the air or through a situation.
"The paper plane sailed over the fence and landed in the neighbour's garden."
"He sailed through the interview because he had prepared so well."
"She sailed through the exam without any trouble."
How to use sail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe fabric that catches wind on a boat, or the act of traveling by boat (or moving smoothly, in a figurative sense).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
set sail
sail through
hoist the sail
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Word forms
- Plural
- sails
- Third person singular
- sails
- Past tense
- sailed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A strong wind filled the _____ and the little boat shot forward.
Etymology
From Old English segl, from Proto-Germanic *seglą — related to German Segel and Dutch zeil.
Related words
Rhymes for sail
See all rhymes for sail →Frequently asked questions
What does “sail” mean?
The word “sail” means a large piece of fabric rigged on a boat to catch the wind and drive it forward. In plain terms, the fabric that catches wind on a boat, or the act of traveling by boat (or moving smoothly, in a figurative sense).
How do you pronounce “sail”?
“Sail” is pronounced sayl (/seɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “sail” in a sentence?
Here is “sail” used in a sentence: “The crew hoisted the mainsail as soon as they cleared the harbor.”
What part of speech is “sail”?
Depending on how it is used, “sail” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “sail” come from?
The word “sail” comes from Old English. From Old English segl, from Proto-Germanic *seglą — related to German Segel and Dutch zeil.
Is “sail” a common word?
“Sail” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “sail” have?
“Sail” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large piece of fabric rigged on a boat to catch the wind and drive it forward.
What is the difference between sail and sale?
Sail and sale are homophones. A sail is the large piece of fabric that catches the wind on a boat, and to sail is to travel across water; a sale is the act of selling something or a period of reduced prices. The fixed phrase is "set sail," never "set sale."
Can a ship without sails still be said to sail?
Yes. Although the verb originally referred to travelling under wind power, it now covers travel by boat or ship generally, so a motor yacht or cruise liner sails from port to port.
