B2 adjective Neutral

boat

/boʊt/

A vessel of any size designed for navigation on water, ranging from small manually powered craft to larger motorized units. While typically a noun, it is frequently used as a modifier to describe nautical items or specific shapes such as necklines or footwear.

Examples

3 of 5
1

We spent the afternoon on a small fishing boat, enjoying the tranquility of the lake.

We spent the afternoon on a small fishing boat, enjoying the tranquility of the lake.

2

The maritime report detailed the structural damage sustained by the boat during the gale.

The maritime report detailed the structural damage sustained by the boat during the gale.

3

Are you coming on the boat later, or are you staying on the shore?

Are you coming on the boat later, or are you staying on the shore?

Word Family

Noun
boat
Verb
boat
Adjective
boat-like
Related
boating
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Memory Tip

Visualize the letter 'B' as the side view of a small boat with two passengers sitting in it.

Quick Quiz

If we don't apply for the scholarship today, we might miss the ____ and lose our chance.

Correct!

The correct answer is: boat

Examples

1

We spent the afternoon on a small fishing boat, enjoying the tranquility of the lake.

everyday

We spent the afternoon on a small fishing boat, enjoying the tranquility of the lake.

2

The maritime report detailed the structural damage sustained by the boat during the gale.

formal

The maritime report detailed the structural damage sustained by the boat during the gale.

3

Are you coming on the boat later, or are you staying on the shore?

informal

Are you coming on the boat later, or are you staying on the shore?

4

The evolution of the boat hull design was pivotal in expanding early trade routes across the Mediterranean.

academic

The evolution of the boat hull design was pivotal in expanding early trade routes across the Mediterranean.

5

The logistics firm decided to charter a specialized boat to transport the heavy machinery across the channel.

business

The logistics firm decided to charter a specialized boat to transport the heavy machinery across the channel.

Word Family

Noun
boat
Verb
boat
Adjective
boat-like
Related
boating

Common Collocations

row a boat row a boat
fishing boat fishing boat
boat trip boat trip
sail a boat sail a boat
motor boat motor boat

Common Phrases

In the same boat

In the same boat (facing the same problem)

Rock the boat

Rock the boat (disturb the status quo)

Miss the boat

Miss the boat (be too late for an opportunity)

Often Confused With

boat vs ship

A ship is a large vessel intended for ocean travel, whereas a boat is generally smaller and used in coastal or inland waters.

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Usage Notes

Use 'boat' for smaller vessels; it is a general term, but 'ship' should be used for large commercial or naval vessels. It can be used as a verb meaning to travel or carry by boat.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often call huge cruise liners 'boats' when they should technically be called 'ships'.

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Memory Tip

Visualize the letter 'B' as the side view of a small boat with two passengers sitting in it.

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Word Origin

Derived from the Old English word 'bāt', which has Germanic roots.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: boats Prepositional use: 'by boat' for travel, 'on a boat' for location Can function as an attributive noun (e.g., boat neck, boat shoes)
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Cultural Context

In many cultures, boats symbolize journey, transition, or a means of livelihood through fishing.

Quick Quiz

If we don't apply for the scholarship today, we might miss the ____ and lose our chance.

Correct!

The correct answer is: boat

Related Phrases

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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