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boater

boater

12 3.0
A person who goes out on a boat for fun
  • noun
  • /ˈboʊtər/
: navegante
  • The ear-splitting crash was so loud that the other boaters on Spring Lake heard it over the roar of their engines.
  • recreational boaters
  • pleasure boaters
  • many boaters

Examples

  • Once, a marooned boater drifted near the surf after his engine failed.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • And remember, a sober boater is a safe boater.

  • Just looking at another rookie boater out here.

  • Michelle Foltynewicz, 20, and her dad were the first boaters at the scene.

    Academic text (2011)
  • For example, the Department of Conservation in New Zealand considers recreational boaters a potential threat.

    Academic text (1998)
  • At present, many boaters are obeying the law but do not believe that the law is justified.

    Academic text (1998)
  • In April 2003, more than 1,500 boaters participated in the race.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Signs warning boaters and swimmers to keep away were posted along the shore.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • On the lake, boaters were specks, fishermen getting in their last catches before the season closed.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • On sunny weekends, many boaters gather at the lake to enjoy the warm weather.

Synonyms

rower
vsboater
12 2.1

A person who uses oars to move a boat, often for sport

refers to any pleasure rider or driver, not only oared propulsion
kayaker
vsboater
5 3.4

A person who sits in a small narrow boat and uses a two-bladed paddle

is a more general pleasure rider, not limited to that specific craft
yachtsman
vsboater
4 7.0

A person who owns a yacht or sails one as a hobby

is the non-gendered leisure operator or passenger across craft types
paddler
vsboater
3 3.9

A person who moves a canoe or kayak using a long flat tool to push water

is broader, applying to any leisure riding or driving of small craft
oarsman
vsboater
2 4.4

A person who rows a boat, often in a team

is general leisure craft user, not gendered or crew-specific
canoeist
vsboater
1 3.9

A person who paddles a canoe for fun or sport

is the wider leisure operator, not specific to that narrow craft
boatsman
vsboater
1 4.0

A person who rows or guides a small boat

is a general recreational rider or driver rather than a skilled professional
yachtswoman
vsboater
1 7.9

A woman who sails a yacht for sport or as a hobby

is a general pleasure rider or driver regardless of vessel type
sailboater
vsboater
1 3.5

A person who sails or rides in a sailboat

is any leisure craft user, not limited to wind propulsion
yachter
vsboater
1 7.9

A person who spends time on a yacht for fun

covers any pleasure craft users, not only those with large private vessels
boatwoman
vsboater
1 5.8

A woman who drives or guides a boat, often as her job

is a leisure rider or driver rather than an occupational worker
punter
vsboater
  • UK
1 9.1

A person who uses a long pole to move a flat boat on shallow water

is the general pleasure rider or driver, not restricted to pole propulsion
yachty
vsboater
  • Informal
1 8.9

A person who often spends time on large private boats

is the neutral term for anyone enjoying riding or driving craft for fun
poler
vsboater
1 8.7

A person who moves a boat by pushing a pole against the bottom of a river or canal

is a general leisure operator or rider, not defined by pole use
yachtsperson
vsboater
8.0

A person who owns or sails a yacht

is broader, covering anyone enjoying any small craft for pleasure

Surface Forms

boater singular
boaters plural

Morphology

boater = boat (transparent) = boat + er

This is a regular agent noun formation from 'boat' + '-er', so the meaning is straightforwardly recoverable.

Etymology

Boater comes from the simple English word boat plus the ending -er, where -er means 'someone who does something'. So a boater is simply someone who rides or drives a boat for fun or work.