Sailing

'seɪlɪŋ

verbBeginner📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To travel on water using a sailing vessel.

'seɪl

verbneutralBeginner
General

To travel by ship or boat, especially using sails.

They are sailing around the world.

💡 Simply: Sailing is like taking a boat trip using the wind to push the boat along. It's like going on a watery adventure, using a big sheet (the sail) to catch the breeze and move the boat.

👶 For kids: To go on a boat using the wind to move it.

More Examples

2

The ship was sailing through rough seas.

3

We plan to go sailing next weekend.

How It's Used

Recreation

"We went sailing on the lake yesterday."

Transportation

"The ship is sailing to Europe."

2

The practice of navigating a ship or boat by means of sails.

'seɪlɪŋ

nounneutralBeginner
General

The act of traveling by ship or boat, especially using sails.

Sailing is a relaxing hobby for many.

💡 Simply: Sailing is a fun activity where you use the wind to move a boat across water. It's like a game where you use the sail to catch the breeze and go on an adventure.

👶 For kids: The act of using a boat with a sail to travel on water.

More Examples

2

We went on a sailing adventure.

3

The club offers sailing lessons.

How It's Used

Sport

"Sailing is a popular recreational activity."

Travel

"We enjoyed our sailing trip through the islands."

Tip:Think of the action of using the sails to move across water – it's sailing!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

smooth sailing

Progressing easily and without problems.

"After we fixed the initial issues, it was smooth sailing from then on."

From Middle English *sailynge*, present participle of *saile* (“to sail”), from Old English *seglian* (“to sail”), from *segl* (“sail”).

Historically, sailing was a critical means of transportation and trade, shaping global exploration and commerce.

Memory tip

Imagine the wind filling a sail – that's how you go sailing!

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"To travel by ship using sails."

go sailingsailing boatsailing tripsailing lessons

Common misspellings

saillingsailinggsayling

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written