seaworthy

American  

[see-wur-thee] / ˈsiˌwɜr ði /

adjective

seaworthier, seaworthiest

1. constructed, outfitted, manned, and in all respects fitted for a voyage at sea.

2. safe for a voyage at sea.

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seaworthy British  

/ ˈsiːˌwɜːðɪ /

adjective

1. in a fit condition or ready for a sea voyage

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Other Word Forms

• seaworthiness
  noun
• unseaworthiness
  noun
• unseaworthy
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of seaworthy

First recorded in 1800–10; sea + -worthy

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Explanation

A seaworthy boat or ship is in good enough condition to safely be taken on an ocean trip. The Titanic, famously, proved not to be seaworthy. As you drive your car onto an enormous ferry bound for Martha's Vineyard, you might worry a little about whether it's seaworthy — those cars are heavy! When something is seaworthy, it's good enough, or worthy, to travel on the sea, even during stormy conditions. This word dates from the early 19th century. The Old English version was særof, "hardy at sea."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

seaworthy

"The submarine met all standards and requirements. It is false that it was not seaworthy."

From Barron's ● Mar. 4, 2026

These features, along with previous reconstruction experiments, indicate these were seaworthy vessels, a conclusion supported by the presence at the site of stone tools linked to nearby islands.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 20, 2024

When UK Border Force experts later examined the remains of the inflatable, they concluded it had not been remotely seaworthy but designed to pack in as many people as possible to maximise profits.

From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2024

Coast Guard said there were no injuries to the 19 crew members aboard the vessel, Genius Star XI, and that it remained seaworthy.

From New York Times ● Dec. 30, 2023

By then, my mother had acquired a motor-boat, a small and not very seaworthy white wooden vessel which sat far too low in the water and was powered by an unreliable one-cylinder engine.

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl

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