Boat vs Ship

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Boat	Ship
Meaning	A small vehicle that moves on water.	A large boat that travels on water.
CEFR level	A1	A2
Part of speech	noun	noun
Usage notes	Common in everyday conversations. Appropriate when discussing travel or recreation on water. Less formal in business contexts.	Use 'ship' in contexts related to sending goods or travel by water. Avoid using in contexts unrelated to water transport, like airplanes.

Frequently asked questions: Boat vs Ship

What's the difference between "Boat" and "Ship"?

"Boat" means: A small vehicle that moves on water. "Ship" means: A large boat that travels on water.

When should I use "Boat" and "Ship"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Boat" and "Ship" the same CEFR level?

"Boat" is at A1, "Ship" is at A2 on the CEFR scale.