sailor

Pronunciation: /ˈseɪ.lɚ/

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun any member of a ship's crew
  2. noun a serviceman in the navy
  3. noun a stiff hat made of straw with a flat crown

Etymology

Alteration of earlier sailer, from Middle English sailer, sayler, saylere, equivalent to sail + -or. Cognate with German Segler (“sailor”). Eclipsed non-native Middle English marinel, marynell (“sailor”) borrowed from Old French marinel (“sailor”). See mariner.

In classic literature

Synonyms

crewman

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
skilled worker
Narrower (hyponyms)
mariner, hand, yachtsman, lascar, water dog

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