voyage
B2Formal, literary. The verb is more formal/literary than the noun.
Definition
Meaning
A long journey, especially by sea or in space.
A journey or exploration through time, life, or an abstract experience; a long process of discovery.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly associated with long, adventurous, or historic travel. As a verb, it is less common and more evocative than 'travel'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Slight preference for 'voyage' over 'sea journey' in British historical/formal contexts. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Both carry connotations of adventure, risk, and discovery. In American English, 'voyage' is often linked to space exploration.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. The noun is used in both; the verb is rare in casual speech in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to voyage to [place]to voyage across/through [area]to voyage around the worldto voyage in search of [goal]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “voyage of discovery”
- “maiden voyage”
- “bon voyage!”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except metaphorically: 'a voyage into new markets.'
Academic
Used in historical, geographical, and literary studies (e.g., 'Darwin's voyage on the Beagle').
Everyday
Used for significant trips, often holiday cruises or long flights: 'Our voyage to Australia took 24 hours.'
Technical
Nautical and aerospace contexts: 'The ship's voyage data recorder.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They voyaged to the Antarctic in a small yacht.
- The old salts had voyaged across every major ocean.
- He dreamt of voyaging to distant stars.
American English
- They voyaged up the Mississippi on a riverboat.
- The spacecraft voyaged beyond our solar system.
- Early pioneers voyaged westward in covered wagons.
adverb
British English
- N/A - No standard adverbial form derived from 'voyage'.
American English
- N/A - No standard adverbial form derived from 'voyage'.
adjective
British English
- N/A - 'voyage' is not used as a standard adjective. Use 'voyaging' (e.g., a voyaging people).
American English
- N/A - 'voyage' is not used as a standard adjective. Use 'voyaging'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The ship's voyage was very long.
- We watched a film about a space voyage.
- Their voyage across the Atlantic took three weeks.
- The Titanic sank on its maiden voyage.
- The explorer's voyage led to the discovery of new islands.
- Writing the book was a real voyage of discovery for her.
- He voyaged solo around the globe, braving monstrous seas.
- The novel chronicles the protagonist's inner voyage from despair to hope.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think VOY-age: You VOY (as in 'go') on a long AGE (period of time).
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A VOYAGE. (e.g., 'He embarked on a new voyage of self-discovery.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'voyage' for short everyday trips—use 'journey' or 'trip'.
- The verb 'voyage' is not a direct synonym for 'travel' (путешествовать) in most contexts; it's much more specific and formal.
- Do not confuse 'voyage' with 'вояж', which can sound ironically old-fashioned or bureaucratic in Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'voyage' as a common verb ('I voyaged to the shops' - INCORRECT).
- Confusing 'voyage' (long, significant journey) with 'travel' (general activity).
- Misspelling as 'viage' or 'voiage'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'voyage' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while traditionally associated with sea travel, it is perfectly correct for space travel and is used metaphorically for any long, challenging journey or process.
It's grammatically correct but sounds formal or literary. In everyday speech, 'travel' or 'go on a voyage' is more natural.
'Trip' is general and often short. 'Journey' emphasizes the process of travelling from A to B. 'Voyage' specifically implies a long, significant, and often adventurous journey, typically over water or space.
It's a French phrase adopted into English, meaning 'good journey'. It's a traditional way to wish someone well at the start of a trip, especially a sea voyage.