yacht

/jɒt/noun

A sleek, lightweight boat used for pleasure cruising or racing, fitted with sails though frequently driven by an engine.

Example sentence

“They spent the weekend cruising the coast on a friend's yacht.”

Pronounced 'yot'; the spelling comes from Dutch. Strongly associated with wealth, hence 'yacht club' as shorthand for privilege.

Related words

sailboatA boat that moves through the water using a sail and the wind.kayakA small, narrow boat with a closed deck and an opening for the paddler, who sits inside and moves it with a paddle that has a blade at each end.anchorA heavy device lowered from a ship to grip the bottom of the water and keep the vessel from drifting.canoeA light, narrow boat that one or more people move through the water using paddles with a single blade.wharfA structure built along a shore or riverbank where ships can dock and load or unload.gondolaA long, narrow boat with raised ends, moved along with a single oar, and traditionally used on the canals of Venice.