sailor

[sey-ler]

noun

1. a person whose occupation is sailing or navigation; mariner.

   Synonyms: seafarer
   Antonyms: landlubber

2. a seaman below the rank of officer.

3. a naval enlistee.

4. a person adept at sailing, especially with reference to freedom from seasickness.

   He was such a bad sailor that he always traveled to Europe by plane.

5. a flat-brimmed straw hat with a low, flat crown.

sailor

/ ˈseɪlə /

noun

1. any member of a ship's crew, esp one below the rank of officer

2. a person who sails, esp with reference to the likelihood of his becoming seasick

   a good sailor

3. short for sailor hat sailor suit

Other Word Forms

• sailorlike adjective
• sailorly adjective
• nonsailor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sailor¹

First recorded in 1540–50; earlier sailer; sail, -or ²

Synonym Study

Sailor, mariner, salt, seaman, tar are terms for a person who leads a seafaring life. A sailor or seaman is one whose occupation is on board a ship at sea, especially a member of a ship's crew below the rank of petty officer: a sailor before the mast; an able-bodied seaman. Mariner is a term now found only in certain technical expressions: master mariner (captain in merchant service); mariner's compass (ordinary compass as used on ships); formerly used much as “sailor” or “seafaring man,” now the word seems elevated or quaint: Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Salt and tar are informal terms for old and experienced sailors: an old salt; a jolly tar.

Example Sentences

But now, a new escalation, with revelations the Yantar's sailors targeted Royal Air Force pilots in patrol planes with lasers.

Read more on BBC

A Russian sailor died and two others were being treated for suspected poisoning on Wednesday following a toxic leak inside a tanker just off Istanbul, the local authorities said.

Read more on Barron's

Marines and sailors invaded and occupied the port of Veracruz, ostensibly to block German arms shipments to the government of Mexican President Victoriano Huerta.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As punishment for killing the bird, the old sailor of the poem’s title was forced to wear its gruesome remains as a necktie.

Read more on Literature

He was off to see his great-uncle Pudge in the old sailor’s home, in Brighton.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• boater 
• cadet 
• diver 
• marine 
• pilot