LingvoCore.com

topsail: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low
UK/ˈtɒp.seɪl/US/ˈtɑːp.seɪl/

Technical (Nautical)

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “topsail” mean?

A sail set on the topmast of a sailing vessel.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A sail set on the topmast of a sailing vessel.

Rarely used metaphorically to denote something elevated or superior; primarily a nautical term with no common extended meanings.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.

Connotations

None specific to either variety; both associate it purely with nautical contexts.

Frequency

Equally rare in both varieties, primarily found in nautical or historical discussions.

Grammar

How to Use “topsail” in a Sentence

the topsail of [ship]a topsail on [mast]

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
topsail schoonerset the topsail
medium
rig the topsailtopsail yard
weak
ship with a topsailunder topsail

Examples

Examples of “topsail” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

  • a topsail schooner

American English

  • a topsail rig

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rarely used; only in maritime or shipping business contexts.

Academic

Used in historical, nautical, or maritime studies.

Everyday

Very rare; mostly encountered in literature, films, or discussions about sailing.

Technical

Common in nautical terminology, sailing manuals, and among sailors.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “topsail”

Neutral

upper sailtopmast sail

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “topsail”

mainsailcourse sail

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “topsail”

  • Misspelling as 'top sail' (should be one word)
  • Confusion with 'topsoil' (a layer of soil).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

A topsail is a sail set on the topmast of a sailing vessel.

No, it is a specialized nautical term and is rarely used in everyday conversation.

In British English, it is pronounced as /ˈtɒp.seɪl/.

Yes, in sailing terminology, there can be variations like 'fore topsail' or 'main topsail' depending on the mast.

A sail set on the topmast of a sailing vessel.

Topsail is usually technical (nautical) in register.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think 'top' + 'sail' – it's the sail at the top of the mast.

Conceptual Metaphor

None commonly associated; it is a literal term.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The sailors raised the to increase speed.
Multiple Choice

What is a topsail?

topsail: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore