seafarer

American  

[see-fair-er] / ˈsiˌfɛər ər /

noun

1. a sailor.

2. a traveler on the sea.

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seafarer British  

/ ˈsiːˌfɛərə /

noun

1. a traveller who goes by sea

2. a less common word for sailor

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Etymology

Origin of seafarer

First recorded in 1505–15; sea + fare ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

In one email sent to the ITF on March 18, a seafarer said the ship's operator was ignoring crews' requests to leave, arguing that there were no flights from Iraq and refusing alternative routes.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

Zheng He, a 15th-century Chinese seafarer, visited the strait, and Marco Polo wrote about risk-taking mariners there.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

"I used to be a seafarer, and I didn't want to carry on on ships, but to do something similar. I thought this would align pretty well with the skills that I've got."

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

Popular images, such as the fearless adventurer, powerful fighter and skilled seafarer, have become familiar.

From Science Daily • Nov. 23, 2025

I felt like a seafarer who has located the northern star and set his course from that shining point.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein