sailor
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: /ˈseɪ.lɚ/
ipa: /ˈseɪ.lə/
rhymes: -eɪlə(ɹ)
Forms: form: sailors
form: sailour
Etymology: Alteration of earlier sailer, from Middle English sailer, sayler, saylere, equivalent to sail + -or. Cognate with German Segler (“sailor”). Eclipsed non-native Middle English marinel, marynell (“sailor”) borrowed from Old French marinel (“sailor”). See mariner.
Senses: examples: text: He's a talented sailor and has spent many years at sea.
synonyms: seafarer
seaman
mariner
hypernyms: person#Noun
glosses: A person who sails; one whose occupation is sailing or navigating ships or other waterborne craft.
examples: text: Merchants, common sailors, captains of vessels, skippers, […] naval officers of all countries, and the Governments of several states on the two continents, were deeply interested in the matter.
ref: 1873, Jules Verne, chapter I, in [anonymous], transl., Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Seas; […], James R. Osgood edition, Boston, Mass.: Geo[rge] M[urray] Smith & Co., →OCLC, part I, page 3:
text: Mary is a sailor
dreaming of northern shores
lost galleons on the sea
Mary ever on her way
ref: 2008, Cécile Corbel, “Mary”, in Songbook vol. 2 (CD), performed by Cécile Corbel, Brittany: Keltia Musique:
text: Another sailor was taken into custody.
ref: 2025 June 13, Rosa Flores, “Missing Navy sailor found dead in Virginia, another sailor in custody”, in CNN:
synonyms: seafarer
seaman
mariner
jack
tar
jacktar
hypernyms: person#Noun
glosses: A person who sails; one whose occupation is sailing or navigating ships or other waterborne craft.
In particular, a member of the crew of a (civilian or military) vessel, as opposed to a captain, admiral, etc.; a mariner; a common seaman.
synonyms: seafarer
seaman
mariner
hypernyms: person#Noun
glosses: A person who sails; one whose occupation is sailing or navigating ships or other waterborne craft.
A person who sails sailing boats (as opposed to boats powered by other means) as a sport or recreation.
coordinate_terms: yachtsman
glosses: Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genera Neptis, Pseudoneptis and Phaedyma, having white markings on a dark base and commonly flying by gliding.
examples: text: Straw Sailors. Children's large-leaf straw sailors, in new shapes, smooth or rough straw . Sizes 6 to 64. 80c, $1.00, $1.50 and $2.00. Milan sailors in new, large shapes, with white or cream ribbon.
ref: 1909, Albert E. Edgar, How to Advertise a Retail Store, Including Mail Order Advertising and General Advertising: A Complete and Comprehensive Manual for Promoting Publicity, page 332:
text: […]the trade that was done for some year in sailors for ladies. […] Developments of a fancifu nature in the brim formation in the direction of what is known as a "Breton" sailor, of which the characteristic is a slightly upturned edge, were the first to be made, […] But to-day, with the exception of straw sailors for girls and young ladies at school, there is very little demand for hats of this description.
ref: 2023 October 20, Harry Inwards, Straw Hats: Their history and manufacture, Good Press:
glosses: A stiff straw hat with a flat, circular brim and a low, flat crown.
glosses: A brick, for example in a course of brickwork, that is laid vertically on its shortest end (smallest face), with its widest face facing the outside of the wall.
Synonyms: word: jack
word: jacktar
word: lobscouser
word: mariner
word: matelot
word: Neptunian
word: Neptunist
word: sailor
word: salt
word: seafarer
word: seaman
word: shipman
word: squid
word: swab
word: swabby
word: tar
word: waterman
Hypernyms: word: person
Hyponyms: word: coaster
word: crewman
word: crewperson
word: crewwoman
word: matey
word: merchant mariner
word: pirate
word: privateer
word: sailoress
word: sailorman
word: sailorwoman
word: shantyman
word: shipmate
word: submariner
word: lubber
word: old salt
word: pollywog
word: rosewater sailor
word: salty dog
word: seadog
word: shellback
word: bargeman
word: bargewoman
word: boater
word: boatman
word: boatsman
word: doggerman
word: rag bagger
word: trawlerman
word: whaler
word: windjammer
word: yachter
word: yachtsman
word: yachtswoman
word: yachty
word: abab
word: bluejacket
word: galiongee
word: lascar
word: able-bodied seaman
word: admiral
word: boatswain
word: boardsman
word: bosun
word: bowsman
word: cabin boy
word: captain
word: commodore
word: cox
word: coxswain
word: chief mate
word: deckhand
word: ensign
word: first mate
word: first officer
word: flag officer
word: foretopman
word: helmsman
word: leading seaman
word: leadsman
word: mate
word: navigator
word: ordinary seaman
word: pilot
word: rear admiral
word: shipmaster
word: shiplord
word: skipper
word: steersman
word: vice admiral
Derived terms: a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor
blue sailor
by-the-wind sailor
curse like a sailor
mouth of a sailor
paper sailor
ragged sailor
rosewater sailor
roving sailor
sailor dive
sailoress
sailor-fish
sailor fuku
sailor hat
sailor mouth
sailor plant
sailor-proof
sailor's eyeball
sailor skirt
sailor suit
swear like a sailor
trailer sailor
turnpike sailor
wandering sailor
Related terms: word: lascar
word: oarsman
word: Appendix:Glossary of nautical terms