Pronunciation: [ˈaft] (IPA) 
The word "aft" is pronounced /æft/ and is spelled with the letter "a" followed by the letters "f" and "t". It is typically used in nautical contexts to describe the back part of a boat or ship. The "a" in "aft" is pronounced with the "short a" sound /æ/ as in "cat" and "hat". The "f" is pronounced with an unvoiced "sibilant" sound /f/ while the "t" is pronounced with an unvoiced "plosive" sound /t/.
Aft is an adverb and adjective used in nautical terminology to describe a position or direction relative to the stern, or the back, of a vessel or ship. It is often used in relation to other nautical terms to indicate a location behind or towards the rear of a specific point or area on a boat. In its adverbial form, aft describes a movement or direction towards the stern of a vessel.
In the adjective form, aft is used to describe features or elements located towards the back of a ship. For instance, the aft deck refers to the part of a boat located towards the stern, usually an open area often used for recreational activities or storage.
The term "aft" is derived from the Old English word "æftan," which means "behind" or "back." It has been employed in maritime language for centuries and became standardized over time as part of the rich nautical jargon.
Understanding the term "aft" is important for sailors, navigators, and individuals working on ships as it allows for clear communication and directions regarding the various areas and movements relevant to the rear section of a vessel.
A term used by seamen to mean the stern of a ship, or to point to what lies in the direction of the stern; behind.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "aft" comes from Middle English "aft", which evolved from Old English "æft", meaning "behind" or "in the back". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*aft-", which shares the same meaning. The word "aft" is primarily used in nautical and aviation contexts to refer to the rear or stern of a vessel or aircraft.
