aboard
gb/əbˈɔɹd/ us/əbˈɔɹd/
A2
English
~ 4700
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
relation
1
On or in a vehicle
On or inside a ship, plane, train, or bus.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is aboard [vehicle]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'aboard' with 'abroad'; 'aboard' means on a vehicle, while 'abroad' means in another country.
Synonyms
onboard (Used more often as an adjective; similar in meaning when used adverbially.)
Antonyms
ashore (Opposite when referring to being on land instead of on a ship.)
Collocations
come aboard
|welcome aboard
|all aboard
Themes
travel
|transportation
|daily life
Examples
- All passengers should be aboard the train by 8:45.
- She climbed aboard the boat and waved goodbye.
- There were over 200 people aboard the aircraft.
Learner examples
- I am aboard the bus now.
- He is aboard the ship.
- We are all aboard the plane.
preposition
A2
action
2
On or onto a vehicle
On or onto a ship, plane, train, or bus.
Usage pattern:
aboard [vehicle]
Synonyms
on (A more general preposition; 'aboard' is more specific to vehicles.)
Antonyms
off (Indicates leaving a vehicle rather than entering or being on it.)
Collocations
step aboard
|get aboard
|climb aboard
Themes
travel
|transportation
Examples
- We stepped aboard the yacht just before sunset.
- The captain invited us aboard his vessel.
- Visitors must sign in before coming aboard.
Learner examples
- We got aboard the train.
- She went aboard the plane.
- They climbed aboard the bus.
adverb
B1
state
3
Involved or included in something
Part of a group or team; involved in an activity.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is aboard [project/team]
Synonyms
included (Focuses more generally on being part of something; 'aboard' has more of a joining connotation.)
Antonyms
excluded (Means left out of a group or activity.)
Collocations
get aboard
|bring aboard
|join aboard
Themes
work
|social
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We’re excited to have you aboard the project.
- Two new engineers came aboard last month.
- She’s been aboard since the early days of the company.
Learner examples
- Welcome aboard our team.
- He came aboard last year.
- We want you aboard this project.
Grammar
Expressions
all aboard
1/ˈɔl əbˈɔɹd/
fixed phrase
Call for passengers to board
Something said to tell all passengers to get on a bus, train, or boat because it is ready to leave.
Examples
- The conductor shouted 'All aboard!' and blew his whistle.
- All aboard! The train leaves in two minutes.
welcome aboard
1/wˈɛlkəm əbˈɔɹd/
fixed phrase
Greet new group member
Said to someone who has just joined a group, team, or company.
Examples
- "Welcome aboard! We're glad to have you on the team."
- Welcome aboard! We’re glad to have you with us.
- The manager shook his hand and said, "Welcome aboard."
- The captain smiled and said, 'Welcome aboard!' as we stepped onto the ship.