sailor
UK: ˈseɪlə | US: ˈseɪlər
n. a person who works on a ship or boat as part of its crew
n. someone who sails boats or ships as a sport or hobby
The word "sailor" combines "sail," derived from Old English segl (meaning "a sail" or "to sail"), with the agentive suffix "-or," from Latin -ator (via Old French -eor), indicating a person who performs an action. The term emerged in Middle English (c. 1400) to describe someone who operates or works on a sailing vessel. The suffix "-or" is less common than "-er" in English but persists in words like "sailor" and "actor," often retaining a professional connotation.
The sailor skillfully navigated the stormy seas.
She trained for years to become a competitive sailor.
The old sailor told stories of his adventures across the oceans.
Every sailor on the ship must follow safety protocols.
He joined the navy to fulfill his dream of being a sailor.