Phrase guide

set sail

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To depart on a voyage by boat or ship.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • We set sail for the Caribbean.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: put out

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: set out, start out

2

verb

Meaning 2

To depart on a voyage by boat or ship.

To spread and arrange the sails of a sailboat or sailing ship for the purpose of putting out.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: literal

Examples

  • The sailors of the regatta are going to wait out this weather before they set sail.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: put out

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: set out, start out

3

verb

Meaning 3

To depart on a voyage by boat or ship.

To do the analogous counterpart on a vessel with any other means of propulsion, such as steaming.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Examples

  • A Navy task force is expected to set sail shortly.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: put out

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: set out, start out

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

25 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Basque: itsasoratu — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Catalan: salpar — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Catalan: partir — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Catalan: fer-se a la mar — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Chinese Mandarin: 啟航 /启航 (qǐháng) — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Finnish: lähteä purjehtimaan — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • French: prendre la mer — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • French: partir en mer — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • French: appareiller — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • French: mettre à la voile — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • French: mettre les voiles — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • German: abfahren — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Greek: αποπλέω (apopléo) — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Latin: velificor — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Polish: wypływać — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Polish: wypłynąć — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Portuguese: zarpar — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Spanish: zarpar — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Spanish: hacerse a la mar — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Spanish: avelar (disused) — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Spanish: partir — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Swahili: kutweka matanga — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Turkish: yelken açmak — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Ottoman Turkish: یلكنلمك (yelkenlemek) — to embark on a voyage by boat
  • Ottoman Turkish: یلكن آچمق (yelken açmak) — to embark on a voyage by boat