stowaway: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral
Quick answer
What does “stowaway” mean?
A person who hides on a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle to travel without paying or being detected.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who hides on a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle to travel without paying or being detected.
Something that is hidden or concealed unintentionally within a larger object or system; also used metaphorically for ideas or elements that persist covertly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and meaning are identical. Spelling is the same.
Connotations
Slightly more common in UK English in historical maritime contexts, but equal in modern usage.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties; appears in news, travel, and security contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “stowaway” in a Sentence
[stowaway] + [on + vehicle]The [stowaway] was discovered.to [travel] as a [stowaway]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stowaway” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He managed to stow away in the lorry's container.
- Children sometimes dream of stowing away on a ship.
American English
- He tried to stow away on the cargo plane.
- She stowed away on a train heading west.
adjective
British English
- The stowaway passenger was found during a routine check.
- They faced stowaway charges.
American English
- The stowaway cat survived the cross-country flight.
- Authorities have a stowaway protocol.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in logistics/transport security reports ('costs incurred from stowaways').
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or migration studies.
Everyday
Used in news stories about travel or smuggling.
Technical
Used in maritime law, aviation security, and border control terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stowaway”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stowaway”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stowaway”
- Using 'stowaway' as a verb (the verb is 'stow away', two words).
- Misspelling as 'stow-away' or 'stow away' for the noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun or adjective, it is one word ('stowaway'). As a verb, it is the phrasal verb 'to stow away'.
Yes, informally. An animal found hidden on a vehicle (e.g., a cat in a cargo hold) can be called a stowaway.
A hitchhiker travels openly, asking for a ride. A stowaway travels secretly, without the crew's knowledge.
Yes, it is illegal in virtually all jurisdictions, as it violates transport laws and border controls.
A person who hides on a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle to travel without paying or being detected.
Stowaway is usually neutral in register.
Stowaway: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstəʊ.ə.weɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstoʊ.ə.weɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “ride as a stowaway”
- “play stowaway (rare, childish)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: STOW (to pack/store) + AWAY (out of sight). A person 'stowed away' from view.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNEY AS CONTAINER (the vehicle is a container, the stowaway is hidden inside it).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'stowaway'?