Sail
/seɪl/
nounverbA2
Definition
As a noun, "sail" is the large cloth attached to a boat or ship that catches the wind to help the boat move. As a verb, "to sail" means to travel on water by using a boat with sails or to move smoothly through water or air.
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See It in Action
Noun: The large cloth on a boat that catches wind
- •The sail was full of wind, and the boat moved quickly.
- •They raised the sail to catch the strong breeze.
- •The ship had three big sails to help it travel far.
Verb: To travel on water using a boat with sails
- •We will sail across the lake tomorrow.
- •They sailed around the island last summer.
- •She learned how to sail when she was a child.
Verb (less common): To move smoothly through air or space
- •The paper airplane sailed across the room.
- •The bird sailed high above the trees.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "sail" like "boat" (A1 word), but focus on the cloth part that helps the boat move by wind.
- ✓Picture a big white cloth stretched on tall poles on a ship, catching the wind and pushing the boat forward.
- ✓It's the feeling of freedom and adventure when you are on a boat moving with the wind on a calm sea.
- ✓Sounds like "sale" → imagine buying a big cloth to catch the wind and move your boat.
- ✓Think of stories about pirates or explorers traveling the ocean with big sails on their ships.
- ✓NOT like "row" (using oars to move by hand), "sail" uses wind power to move the boat.
- ✓NOT like "motorboat" (uses engine), "sail" is about using natural wind power.
- ✓As a verb, "sail" means moving smoothly and quietly, not noisy or fast like a motorboat.
Try Other Words
- •Navigate: to plan and control the course of a boat or ship (Use when focusing on direction and control, not just moving by wind)
- •Float: to stay on the surface of water without sinking (Use when the boat is not moving or moving very slowly)
- •Cruise: to travel smoothly and comfortably on water or in air (Use when emphasizing comfort or pleasure, not just movement by wind)
- •Row: to move a boat using oars (Use when moving by hand power, not wind)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "sail" is a simple root word with no prefix or suffix.
- •Etymology: From Old English "sægel," meaning cloth or fabric used on ships.
- •Historical development: Used for centuries to describe the cloth on ships that catch wind; also the action of traveling by wind power.
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in boating, sports, and describing movement by wind; also used metaphorically for smooth or easy movement.
Reflect & Connect
•How does the idea of "sailing" connect to feelings of freedom or adventure in your culture?
•Can "sail" be used to describe things that move without wind? How does that change the meaning?
Fill in the blanks
1.The boat began to sail ___ the strong wind filled the ___.
2.When you sail, you rely on ___ to move the boat, not an engine.
3.Unlike rowing, sailing uses the ___ to push the boat forward.
4.The paper airplane sailed smoothly ___ the room without falling.
5.They raised the ___ quickly because the wind was ___.
6.To sail well, you need to understand how the wind ___ and changes.
7.The ship's sail was torn, so it could not ___ properly on the sea.