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stowaway

American

[stoh-uh-wey] / ˈstoʊ əˌweɪ /

noun

a person who hides aboard a ship or airplane in order to obtain free transportation or elude pursuers.

stowaway British

/ ˈstəʊəˌweɪ /

noun

a person who hides aboard a vehicle, ship, or aircraft in order to gain free passage

"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

verb

(intr, adverb) to travel in such a way

"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 stowaway

First recorded in 1850–55; noun use of verb phrase stow away

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.

Born in the Chinese city of Guangzhou, Lai was 12 when he arrived in Hong Kong as a stowaway on a fishing boat.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

After illegally emigrating to the United States as a shipboard stowaway, the Colonel adopted the name Tom Parker, eventually finding work as a promoter with a traveling carnival.

From Salon • Aug. 8, 2025

The couple said they called the police to tell them they had found the stowaway.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2025

Now the man faces a felony charge of being a stowaway on an aircraft.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 20, 2024

Like she had no idea how they had come across the stowaway currently sprawled out by her feet.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023