yacht
yot
Yacht (noun) means a sleek boat, often with sails but sometimes engine-powered, used for pleasure cruising or racing. Example: “They spent the summer sailing their yacht around the Greek islands.”
noun
1
A sleek boat, often with sails but sometimes engine-powered, used for pleasure cruising or racing.
"They spent the summer sailing their yacht around the Greek islands."
"The billionaire docked his yacht in the marina overnight."
"We watched the white yacht glide slowly out of the harbour at sunrise."
verb
1
To travel or race by yacht.
"They yachted along the coast for two weeks straight."
"Every summer my uncle yachts around the islands with his two sons."
"She dreams of retiring and yachting across the sea with her husband."
How to use yacht
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fancy boat built for pleasure trips rather than cargo or fishing.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sail a yacht
luxury yacht
yacht club
private yacht
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Word forms
- Plural
- yachts
- Third person singular
- yachts
- Past tense
- yachted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They spent the summer sailing their _____ around the Greek islands.
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.
Class of 1660
yacht joined the language around 1660.
See the full Class of 1660 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
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.
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