A2verb2K

Sail

UK /["/seɪl/","/seɪlz/","/seɪld/","/ˈseɪlɪŋ/"]/US /["/seɪl/","/seɪlz/","/seɪld/","/ˈseɪlɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to travel on water using sails or an engine

In simple words: To travel on water using a boat with a sail.

Examples

  • We will sail across the lake tomorrow.
  • He loves to sail his boat during the summer.
  • They plan to sail around the world next year.
  • The boat will sail when the wind picks up.
  • She watched the sail of the ship as it moved across the horizon.

Usage notes

Used in contexts related to navigation and boating. Can also refer to going smoothly or quickly in a general context. Not typically used in formal writing about other subjects.

Grammar pattern

sail + object (e.g., sail a boat)

Memory hint

Think of a big boat with sails gliding over the water — it's smooth sailing!

Collocations

  • gracefully
  • serenely
  • smoothly
  • know how to
  • learn to
  • teach somebody to
  • across
  • around
  • round
  • gracefully
  • serenely
  • smoothly
  • know how to
  • learn to
  • teach somebody to
  • across
  • around
  • round
  • gracefully
  • serenely
  • smoothly
  • know how to
  • learn to
  • teach somebody to
  • across
  • around
  • round

Synonyms

  • navigate
  • cruise
  • glide
  • fly
  • float

Antonyms

  • sink
  • drift

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'sale' in writing.
  • Using 'sail' intransitively without mentioning the object.
  • Mistakenly using 'sail' in non-water contexts.