Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

boatman

American  
[boht-muhn] / ˈboʊt mən /

noun

plural

boatmen
  1. a person skilled in the use of small craft.

  2. a person who sells, rents, or works on boats.


boatman British  
/ ˈbəʊtmən /

noun

  1. a man who works on, hires out, repairs, or operates a boat or boats

  2. short for water boatman

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of boatman

First recorded in 1505–15; boat + -man

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Despite his pleas, the boatman refused to allow Fayaz to bring the baby's body with them.

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2024

"I'm an old boatman, I have experienced another four floods in the village. This was the worst," he told media.

From Reuters • Sep. 9, 2023

Levin Dukes, a boatman, built the house and was its first occupant.

From Washington Post • Apr. 21, 2023

“The Kingdoms of Savannah” is an ensemble piece with no real center of gravity, and way too many kooky humans to enumerate here: a slumlord, a lazy boatman, a whistling vagrant.

From New York Times • Jul. 20, 2022

“Then we shall be the first. We’ll find our way out. And since we’re going to do that, be kind, boatman, be compassionate, let her take her dæmon!”

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman