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bateau

bateau

1 9.4
A small boat with a flat bottom used on rivers and lakes to carry people or goods
  • noun
  • /bəˈtoʊ/
translation icon : bateau
  • The bateau slides through the still waters of the bayou.
  • bateau neckline

Examples

  • They carried the clams ashore on sleds or discarded mattress springs, using a horse to tow them, or they put the clams in a bateau with runners attached and pushed it over the ice.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Usually, one man was in a bateau, but sometimes two.

    Academic text (1990)
  • On the terrace, near the Bateau.

  • Bateau.

  • Occasionally, a bateau mouche passed, all illuminated, and I saw him better, his usual smile.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The quantity of clams gathered per bateau was as much as 12 bushels a day.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Shimokitazawa has big brands (such as the French chain Petit Bateau), but is known more for its local boutiques, which sell everything from vintage clothing to vinyl.

    Blog text (10)
  • The fisherman carefully loaded his gear into the small bateau before heading out to the lake at dawn.

  • On a sunny afternoon, we paddled our bateau along the river, enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

  • The bateau glided effortlessly across the calm waters, perfect for a leisurely fishing trip.

Synonyms

boat
vsbateau
1.0

A small vehicle used on water to carry people, like a rowboat or motorboat

is the same size but specifically flat‑hulled for shallow waters
fishing boat
vsbateau
32 1.1

A boat used for catching fish that often has a space to keep the fish alive

is more general, used also for transport or pleasure besides fishing
riverboat
vsbateau
18 2.5

A boat that travels on a river, often used for tours or fun

is smaller and specifically flat‑hulled for rivers or lakes
small boat
vsbateau
13 1.0

A boat that is small and used for short trips on lakes or rivers

adds being flat‑hulled and suitable for rivers or lakes
airboat
vsbateau
4 4.6

A flat-bottomed boat with a big fan that moves over shallow water and marshes

relies on ordinary hull movement and is used on rivers or lakes
johnboat
vsbateau
  • US
1 7.6

A small flat-bottom boat that people use in shallow water for fishing

is used more widely on rivers or lakes for transport or pleasure
flatboat
vsbateau
  • Archaic
1 8.1

A long boat with a flat bottom and square ends used to carry heavy loads on rivers

is smaller and not primarily intended for heavy cargo transport
river boat
vsbateau
1 2.9

A boat that carries people or goods along a river

is smaller and also fits lake use and leisure activities
flat-bottom
vsbateau
4.1

A boat with a level hull for shallow, calm water

adds the idea of small size and use on rivers or lakes
fishboat
vsbateau
2.8

A boat used for catching or carrying fish

is broader, covering transport, leisure, and fishing roles
bac
vsbateau
  • Archaic
9.9

A small flat boat that carries people or cars across a river

is lighter and used for general transport, pleasure, or fishing
batel
vsbateau
  • Archaic
9.9

A small wooden boat for rowing or fishing

is the modern general form, used for pleasure, transport, or fishing

Compounds

bateau bridge
  • Specialized
9.9

A temporary crossing made from boats or rafts to carry people and vehicles over water

How Big

barge
57 3.9
launch
36 6.0
bateau
1 9.4
dinghy
18 4.8
skiff
15 7.7

Surface Forms

bateau singular
bateaux plural

Etymology

Bateau comes from French bateau, which simply means 'boat' and is the same idea as the English word boat. So a bateau is a small flat-bottomed boat used on rivers and lakes.