sail

To travel across water on a boat or ship.

• We sailed to the island.
• She has sailed around the world twice.
• Have you ever sailed across an ocean?

How to use it: sail to somewhere (We sailed to a nearby island.); sail across/around something (They sailed across the Atlantic together.)

Similar words: travel by sea

Common phrases: sail across something, sail around something, sail to somewhere, sail on something

If a boat does this, it moves across water, using wind or another source of power.

• The boat sailed past us.
• A large ship sails along this coast daily.
• The yacht sailed smoothly across the bay.

How to use it: sail across/along something (The boat sailed across the lake.); sail into/out of somewhere (The ship sailed out of the harbour.)

Common phrases: sail across something, sail into port, sail past something

To leave a place by ship and begin a journey.

• The ship sails at six.
• We sailed for Greece on Monday.
• When does the next ferry sail?

How to use it: sail for somewhere (The ship sails for Lisbon tomorrow.); sail from somewhere (Our ferry sails from this port at dawn.)

Similar words: depart, set sail

Opposites: arrive

Common phrases: sail for somewhere, sail from somewhere, sail at noon

A large piece of cloth on a boat that catches wind and helps move it.

• The wind filled the sail.
• We lowered the sails before the storm.
• One sail was torn during the race.

Common phrases: raise a sail, lower a sail, sail catches wind

A short journey in a boat that uses the wind to move.

• We went for a sail.
• Our afternoon sail ended at a quiet beach.
• Would you like a sail around the bay?

Similar words: sailing trip

Common phrases: go for a sail, afternoon sail, pleasant sail

The cloth surfaces on a ship that catch the wind, considered together as one amount.

• The ship moved under sail.
• The captain ordered us to reduce sail.
• With more sail spread, the vessel gained speed.

Similar words: canvas

Common phrases: under sail, take in sail, carry more sail