sailor

noun

sail·​or ˈsā-lər 

1

a

: one that sails

especially : mariner

b(1)

: a member of a ship's crew

(2)

: seaman sense 2b

2

: a traveler by water

3

: a stiff straw hat with a low flat crown and straight circular brim

Synonyms

• gob
• hearty
• jack
• jack-tar
• mariner
• navigator
• salt
• sea dog
• seafarer
• seaman
• shipman
• swab
• swabbie [slang]
• swabby
• tar

Examples of sailor in a Sentence

He worked as a sailor on a cargo ship.

the sailors were glad to be arriving in port after their long voyage

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to driving subs, Higa taught satellite navigation to other sailors in New London, Connecticut. —Penny E Schwartz, Orange County Register, 3 June 2024

While ideally that doesn’t mean more orca attacks as well, sailors in those waters would do well to keep their eyes peeled for the black-and-white beasts. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 16 May 2024

Soldiers and sailors assemble a U.S. floating pier off the shore of Gaza, for delivering food aid, April 26, 2024. —Anna Mulrine Grobe, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2024

Not coincidentally, a number of men in the audience were sporting sailor captain hats. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of sailer

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sailor

• sailor collar
• sailor's-choice
• sailor suit

Kids Definition

sailor

noun

sail·​or ˈsā-lər 

: a person who sails : seaman