sailor
gb/sˈeɪlɚ/ us/sˈeɪlɚ/
A2
English
~ 4300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
person who works on a ship
A person who works on a ship at sea.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a sailor
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sailor' with 'sailer'. The correct spelling for a person is 'sailor'.
Synonyms
seaman (A formal or naval term for someone who works on a ship.)
|
crew member (General term for someone in the crew, not always at sea.)
Antonyms
landlubber (Informal term for someone inexperienced with the sea or sailing.)
Collocations
navy sailor
|merchant sailor
|experienced sailor
|sailor uniform
|sailor training
Themes
jobs
|transportation
|sea
|work
|travel
Examples
- The sailor stood at the bow, scanning the horizon.
- She met a sailor who had traveled around the world.
- The sailors worked together to raise the sails.
- He joined the navy and became a sailor.
- The ship's captain thanked every sailor for their hard work.
Learner examples
- My uncle is a sailor.
- The sailor works on a big ship.
- I saw a sailor in the port.
- The sailor wears a white hat.
- She wants to be a sailor when she grows up.
Noun
B1
entity
2
person sailing for leisure or sport
A person who sails for fun or sport.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a sailor
Synonyms
yachtsman (Specifically someone who sails yachts, often for sport.)
Collocations
skilled sailor
|weekend sailor
|amateur sailor
Themes
sports
|hobbies
|sea
|travel
|transportation
Examples
- He’s an experienced sailor who competes in regattas.
- As a young sailor, she spent every summer on the water.
- The club offers lessons for beginner sailors.
Learner examples
- My friend is a sailor on weekends.
- The sailor likes to race his boat.
- She is a new sailor at the club.
Grammar
Expressions
happy as a clam at high tide (often 'happy as a clam')
1/hˈæpi ˈæz ə klˈæm ˈæt hˈaɪ tˈaɪd ˈɔftən hˈæpi ˈæz ə klˈæm/
idiom
informal
very happy and content
To be very happy and satisfied.
Examples
- After the trip, she was happy as a clam.
- He looked happy as a clam after winning the race.
sailor's mouth
1/sˈeɪlɚz mˈaʊθ/
fixed phrase
informal
habit of using rude words often
The habit of using many bad words when speaking.
Examples
- He has a sailor’s mouth, so be prepared for strong language.
- Her friends joke about her sailor’s mouth.
swear like a sailor
1/swˈɛɹ lˈaɪk ə sˈeɪlɚ/
idiom
informal
use rude words often
To use many bad or impolite words when speaking.
Examples
- She may look sweet, but she swears like a sailor when she’s angry.
- He swore like a sailor after hitting his thumb with the hammer.