Sailor Meaning
/ˈseɪ.lɚ/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA person who sails; one whose occupation is sailing or navigating ships or other waterborne craft.
nounA person who sails; one whose occupation is sailing or navigating ships or other waterborne craft., In particular, a member of the crew of a (civilian or military) vessel, as opposed to a captain, admiral, etc.; a mariner; a common seaman.
Sentence Examples
The rangers decided to go to the sailor's rescue.
Tom acted the part of a sailor.
A sailor saw his fellow sailor sink from exhaustion.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
After months of working on the ocean, the tired ____ finally returned to his home port.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The experienced ____ navigated the vessel through the treacherous reef without incident.
Word Origin & History
Alteration of earlier sailer, from Middle English sailer, sayler, saylere, equivalent to sail + -or. Cognate with German Segler (“sailor”). Eclipsed non-native Middle English marinel, marynell (“sailor”) borrowed from Old French marinel (“sailor”). See mariner.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Merchants, common sailors, captains of vessels, skippers, […] naval officers of all countries, and the Governments of several states on the two continents, were deeply interested in the matter."
— 1873, Jules Verne, chapter I, in [anonymous], transl., Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Seas; […], James R. Osgood edition, Boston, Mass.: Geo[rge] M[urray] Smith & Co., →OCLC, part I, page 3:
"Mary is a sailor
dreaming of northern shores
lost galleons on the sea
Mary ever on her way"
— 2008, Cécile Corbel, “Mary”, in Songbook vol. 2 (CD), performed by Cécile Corbel, Brittany: Keltia Musique:
"Another sailor was taken into custody."
— 2025 June 13, Rosa Flores, “Missing Navy sailor found dead in Virginia, another sailor in custody”, in CNN:
"Straw Sailors. Children's large-leaf straw sailors, in new shapes, smooth or rough straw . Sizes 6 to 64. 80c, $1.00, $1.50 and $2.00. Milan sailors in new, large shapes, with white or cream ribbon."
— 1909, Albert E. Edgar, How to Advertise a Retail Store, Including Mail Order Advertising and General Advertising: A Complete and Comprehensive Manual for Promoting Publicity, page 332:
"[…]the trade that was done for some year in sailors for ladies. […] Developments of a fancifu nature in the brim formation in the direction of what is known as a "Breton" sailor, of which the characteristic is a slightly upturned edge, were the first to be made, […] But to-day, with the exception of straw sailors for girls and young ladies at school, there is very little demand for hats of this description."
— 2023 October 20, Harry Inwards, Straw Hats: Their history and manufacture, Good Press:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After months of working on the ocean, the tired ____ finally returned to his home port.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The experienced ____ navigated the vessel through the treacherous reef without incident.