noun
sailor
Someone who works or travels on a ship or boat.
The sailor checks the ropes before the boat leaves the dock.
Etymology
The sail supplies the activity-name sailing. Sailor identifies a person engaged in operating or traveling aboard a vessel, including vessels without sails.
More examples
- Several sailors wave to their families from the ship.
- She is an experienced sailor who races small boats.
- The sailors take turns steering during the long crossing.
Forms
sailor · sailors
sail verb — To travel on water by boat.
Similar words
- mariner
- Mariner is more formal and usually refers to professionals.
- seafarer
- Seafarer emphasizes traveling or working at sea, not inland.