Sail
As a Noun
- A piece of fabric attached to a boat or ship, used to catch the wind and propel it forward.
- A journey or trip made on a boat or ship.
- A structure resembling a ship’s sail, such as a windmill blade.
As a Verb
- To travel on water using sails or a boat.
- To move smoothly and effortlessly, like a boat gliding on water.
- To progress easily through a task or situation.
As Other Form
- Sailing (Noun): The act of traveling by boat, often for sport or leisure.
Word History
The word sail comes from Old English segel, related to Old Norse segl and Dutch zeil, all meaning “a piece of fabric used to propel a boat.” Over time, it also came to describe the action of moving on water and metaphorically moving effortlessly in life.
Examples
- The ship’s sail billowed in the strong wind.
- They planned to sail across the Atlantic Ocean.
- She sailed through the exam without any difficulty.
- The yacht had white sails that shimmered in the sunlight.
Synonyms
Voyage, cruise, glide, navigate, drift
Related Words
Boat, wind, mast, ocean, journey
Antonyms
Anchor, dock, stop, struggle, stagnate
