parafoil: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Sports
Quick answer
What does “parafoil” mean?
A type of flexible, non-rigid airfoil used in parachutes and kites, consisting of an enclosed wing structure that inflates and provides lift.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of flexible, non-rigid airfoil used in parachutes and kites, consisting of an enclosed wing structure that inflates and provides lift.
Often used to refer specifically to modern parachutes or kites employing this aerodynamic design, particularly in skydiving, sport kite flying, and occasionally for cargo delivery systems.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of modern, high-tech, recreational, or sport-specific equipment in both contexts.
Frequency
Low frequency in general English but standard within the technical/sports domains of parachuting, skydiving, and kite sports in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “parafoil” in a Sentence
The [pilot/athlete] deployed the parafoil.The [system/design] uses a parafoil.[A/The] [sport/cargo] parafoil descended.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “parafoil” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The system is designed to parafoil the payload gently to the ground. (Rare, technical)
American English
- The prototype can parafoil its sensors into the disaster zone. (Rare, technical)
adjective
British English
- They tested a new parafoil recovery system for the rocket's first stage.
American English
- The drone features a parafoil landing capability for soft touchdown.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the context of companies manufacturing or selling skydiving or kite-sport equipment.
Academic
Used in papers on aerodynamics, aerospace engineering, or sports technology.
Everyday
Virtually unused. Would only be understood by enthusiasts of relevant sports.
Technical
The primary register. Precise term in parachuting, skydiving, kite design, and some cargo delivery systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “parafoil”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “parafoil”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “parafoil”
- Confusing 'parafoil' with 'paraglider' (the latter is a piloted gliding craft with a similar wing, but used for free flight from mountains, not as a parachute).
- Misspelling as 'parafoile', 'parafoal', or 'para-foil'.
- Using it as a generic term for any parachute.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They use similar aerofoil technology, but a paraglider is designed for launching from the ground (like a hill) and sustained flight, while a parafoil is primarily used as a parachute, deployed in mid-air for descent.
Yes, that is one of its primary advantages. By pulling on steering lines (toggles), the pilot can change its shape and direction, allowing for controlled, targeted landings.
It is a blend (portmanteau) of 'parachute' and 'airfoil', describing its hybrid nature as a descent device shaped like a wing.
No, it is a specialised technical term. It is common within the communities of skydivers, kite fliers, and aerospace engineers, but unfamiliar to most general English speakers.
A type of flexible, non-rigid airfoil used in parachutes and kites, consisting of an enclosed wing structure that inflates and provides lift.
Parafoil is usually technical / sports in register.
Parafoil: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpærəfɔɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɛrəˌfɔɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PARAchute + airFOIL = PARAFOIL. A parachute shaped like an airplane's wing.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOFTER, FLEXIBLE WING (contrasted with the rigid wing of an aircraft).
Practice
Quiz
What is the key aerodynamic feature of a parafoil?