landlubber

American  

[land-luhb-er] / ˈlændˌlʌb ər /

noun

1. an unseasoned sailor or someone unfamiliar with the sea.

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landlubber British  

/ ˈlændˌlʌbə /

noun

1. nautical any person having no experience at sea

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Other Word Forms

• landlubberish adjective
• landlubberly adjective
• landlubbing adjective

Etymology

Origin of landlubber

First recorded in 1690–1700; land + lubber

Explanation

If you've never set foot on any kind of boat, you're a landlubber, someone who's either brand new to sailing or is totally unfamiliar with it. The word landlubber comes from the obsolete lubber, which isn't a funny way to say "lover," but a term that evolved from meaning "clumsy oaf" to "inexperienced seaman." Back in the 15th century, lubber was also used as a verb, to mean "sail badly." These days, a new, inexperienced crew member on a schooner might be called a landlubber. If your brother gets queasy on a short ferry ride, feel free to call him a landlubber too.

Example Sentences

As an Army veteran, a backpacker and a landlubber, sailing had longed piqued my interest, but it seemed inaccessible.

From Seattle Times • May 11, 2023

But all the pictures were from his landlubber life, taken when he was standing on the solid ground of his church, a branch of the Ministry of the Word, a modest Pentecostal church.

From New York Times • Feb. 1, 2022

Geldof, by contrast, has the air of a landlubber, happier by far on a stage that does not sway under his feet.

From The New Yorker • Jun. 23, 2016

He finds an authentic-sounding voice, using judicious touches of dialect spliced with enough sailing jargon to make for a thoroughly convincing mariner's tale – to this landlubber, anyhow.

From The Guardian • Dec. 24, 2012

As for the sea, it looked rough, but to a landlubber the sea is always impressive and forbidding, beautiful and dangerous.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel