sailor
B1Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
A person whose job is to work on a ship or boat, especially one who is below the rank of officer.
A person who sails a boat, especially as a sport or recreation; also, someone who is generally skilled at or fond of sailing. Can refer to a member of a navy, merchant marine, or any crew.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term focuses on the work and skill of sailing/seafaring, not just being on a ship (cf. 'seaman' is more general, 'mariner' is more formal/literary). In a naval context, it often distinguishes non-commissioned personnel from officers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Both use 'sailor' for navy personnel and recreational sailors.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries connotations of tradition, skill, and a life connected to the sea. In the US, strongly associated with the US Navy.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
sailor + verb (work, serve, sail)adjective + sailor (experienced, retired)sailor + prepositional phrase (in the navy, on a ship)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a good/bad sailor (prone/not prone to seasickness)”
- “sailor's blessing (a curse)”
- “sailor's mouth (tendency to swear)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in logistics/shipping contexts (e.g., 'shortage of qualified sailors').
Academic
In historical, maritime, or sociological studies.
Everyday
Common for discussing jobs, hobbies (sailing), or navy personnel.
Technical
Used in maritime professions and naval contexts with specific ranks (e.g., 'leading sailor').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A for 'sailor' as a verb. The related verb is 'to sail'.
American English
- N/A for 'sailor' as a verb. The related verb is 'to sail'.
adverb
British English
- N/A. No direct adverbial form.
American English
- N/A. No direct adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- He wore a classic sailor collar.
- The sailor knot is essential.
American English
- She bought a sailor dress for the themed party.
- He tied a secure sailor's hitch.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My uncle is a sailor.
- The sailor works on a big ship.
- She wants to become a sailor in the Royal Navy.
- You need to be a good sailor to handle this weather.
- The experienced sailor navigated the storm with remarkable calm.
- As a weekend sailor, he cherished his time on the Solent.
- The memoir offered a poignant insight into the solitary life of a nineteenth-century merchant sailor.
- His rhetoric painted him as a steady sailor guiding the company through economic turbulence.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A SAILOR SAILS. The word contains 'sail'.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A VOYAGE / A PERSON IS A SHIP (e.g., 'a steady sailor in troubled waters').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'моряк' for every context – 'моряк' is broader. 'Sailor' is more specific to the act of sailing/working on a ship. For a 'navy soldier', 'моряк' or 'матрос' are closer.
- Avoid confusing with 'seaman', which can have vulgar connotations in modern informal English.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling: 'sailer' (incorrect for the person; a 'sailer' is a type of ship).
- Using 'sailor' for any person on a ship, including passengers.
- Capitalisation: not capitalised unless part of a title ('Sailor John').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a typical meaning or use of 'sailor'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While commonly used for naval personnel, it applies to anyone who works on or sails boats, including the merchant marine and recreational yachtsmen.
'Sailor' is more common and specific to sailing/ship work. 'Seaman' is a broader, slightly more formal term for someone who works at sea, and is also a specific naval rank in some countries.
Absolutely. While historically male-dominated, the term is gender-neutral in modern English. Specific terms like 'seawoman' are extremely rare and unnecessary.
It primarily means someone who does not get seasick easily. It can also imply a skilled and competent person at sailing.