seafaring: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, historical, descriptive.
Quick answer
What does “seafaring” mean?
The act of traveling by sea, especially on a voyage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of traveling by sea, especially on a voyage; a person or lifestyle involved in working or traveling on the sea.
The general activity or profession of working on ships at sea; can refer to a historical or traditional nautical culture, or to the adventurous/romanticized notion of life at sea.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally comprehensible in both variants.
Connotations
In British English, it may have stronger historical connections due to Britain's naval and exploratory history. In American English, it may carry a slightly more romantic or frontier-like connotation.
Frequency
Slightly higher relative frequency in British English, given the UK's island geography and maritime heritage, but remains a low-frequency word in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “seafaring” in a Sentence
[Adjective] seafaringa lifetime of seafaringto take up seafaringVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “seafaring” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - 'seafaring' is not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A - 'seafaring' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'seafaring' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A - 'seafaring' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- He comes from a long line of seafaring folk from Cornwall.
- The museum showcased artefacts from Britain's seafaring past.
American English
- New England has a rich seafaring heritage.
- She was drawn to tales of seafaring adventurers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in niche contexts like maritime history tourism or specialized insurance.
Academic
Used in historical, anthropological, or literary studies discussing maritime exploration, cultures, or economies.
Everyday
Uncommon; used for descriptive or poetic effect when talking about ancestors, hobbies, or travel.
Technical
Used in maritime archaeology and certain historical contexts, but not in modern nautical science or ship operations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “seafaring”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “seafaring”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “seafaring”
- Using it to describe a single sea trip (use 'voyage' or 'sailing trip'). Confusing 'seafaring' (adj/n) with 'seafarer' (n). Overusing in modern contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Sailing' is a broader term that can refer to the sport, a specific journey, or the act of operating a sailboat. 'Seafaring' implies a deeper, often professional or traditional, involvement with the sea as a way of life or work.
No, 'seafaring' is exclusively a noun or an adjective. The related verb would be 'to sail' or 'to voyage'.
Learners often use it to describe any trip on the sea, like a holiday cruise. It's better used for historical, professional, or cultural contexts of working and travelling on the sea.
Yes, a 'seafarer' is a person who works or travels regularly by sea, especially as a sailor. 'Seafaring' describes the activity or characteristic of such a person.
The act of traveling by sea, especially on a voyage.
Seafaring is usually formal, literary, historical, descriptive. in register.
Seafaring: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsiːˌfeə.rɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsiːˌfer.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a seafaring man”
- “in the seafaring line”
- “born to a seafaring life”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'faring' as in 'how you fare' or travel. You are 'faring' (traveling) on the 'sea'.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A VOYAGE / ADVENTURE IS TRAVEL. Seafaring frames a person's life or work as an ongoing, adventurous journey across a challenging medium.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'seafaring' LEAST appropriate?