How Do You Spell SAILS?

Pronunciation: [sˈe͡ɪlz] (IPA)

The word "sails" is spelled with the letters s-a-i-l-s. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /seɪlz/. The first sound is /s/ which is an unvoiced consonant, followed by the diphthong /eɪ/. The final sound is /lz/ which is a combination of the voiced consonant /l/ and the unvoiced consonant /z/. This combination creates the distinctive sound of "sails" which refers to the fabric that is used to catch the wind and propel a ship forward.

SAILS Meaning and Definition

  1. Sails are large, usually rectangular, pieces of fabric or canvas that are attached to a mast or boom of a boat or ship. They are designed to catch the wind and propel the vessel across the water. Sails are integral to sailing, as they harness the wind's power to provide the necessary thrust and maneuverability to navigate.

    Typically made from strong materials, such as canvas or synthetic fibers, sails are built to withstand the forces exerted by the wind. They are often reinforced with ropes or metal rings called eyelets along the edges for added strength and attachment points. Sails come in various shapes and sizes depending on their specific function and the type of vessel they are intended for.

    The primary types of sails include the mainsail, which is the largest and most fundamental sail, usually positioned behind the mast; the jib or foresail, located forward of the mast; and the spinnaker, a large, often colorful sail used for downwind sailing. Each sail has a specific purpose and can be adjusted or trimmed to optimize the vessel's performance and speed. Sails work by creating lift when the wind fills them, converting wind energy into forward motion.

    Sailing requires skill and knowledge in manipulating the sails to ensure proper balance and control. Adjusting the sails to the wind direction and strength is crucial in order to maximize speed and maintain stability. Sails have played a pivotal role in human history, serving as a means of transportation and exploration on the seas and contributing to the development and spread of civilizations.

Top Common Misspellings for SAILS *

* 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.

Other Common Misspellings for SAILS

Etymology of SAILS

The word "sails" is derived from the Middle English word "seil" which was borrowed from Old Norse "segl". This Old Norse term is related to the Old English word "segel" and the German word "segel", all of which ultimately originate from the Proto-Germanic word "seglo". The Proto-Germanic term "seglo" has its roots in the Proto-Indo-European word "sek" which means "to weave" or "to draw together". This evolution in meaning signifies the idea of a sail being a woven or drawn-together piece of fabric.

Idioms with the word SAILS

  • trim your sails The idiom "trim your sails" is a nautical expression that refers to adjusting the position or angle of the sails on a boat in order to find the most efficient or optimal course, exploit the wind, or maintain balance during sailing. In a figurative sense, the idiom is often used to suggest the need for someone to make adjustments or modifications to their plans, behaviors, or actions in order to achieve success or navigate challenging situations effectively. It implies the importance of flexibility, adaptation, and being responsive to changing circumstances.
  • trim one's sails The idiom "trim one's sails" refers to the act of adjusting one's plans, actions, or behavior in response to changes in circumstances or the wishes of others, in order to achieve a desired outcome or maintain harmony. It originates from sailing terminology, where "trimming the sails" means adjusting their position to optimize speed and direction in relation to the wind.
  • take the wind out of someone's sails The idiom "take the wind out of someone's sails" means to deflate someone's enthusiasm, confidence, or momentum by delivering news or information that diminishes their expectations or success.
  • take the wind out of sails The idiom "take the wind out of sails" means to cause someone to lose enthusiasm, excitement, or confidence by saying or doing something that undermines or deflates them. It can also refer to ruining another person's plans or ambitions.
  • take the wind out of your sails The idiom "take the wind out of your sails" means to diminish someone's enthusiasm, confidence, or excitement, typically by saying or doing something that deflates their spirits or undermines their achievements. It can also imply taking away the advantage or momentum of a situation or person.
  • knock the wind out of sm's sails The idiom "knock the wind out of someone's sails" means to completely deflate or discourage someone, usually by criticizing or undermining their confidence, enthusiasm, or plans. It is often used to describe an action or comment that leaves someone feeling stunned, deflated, or demoralized.
  • knock the wind out of sails The idiom "knock the wind out of sails" means to severely deflate or demoralize someone, usually by undermining their confidence, enthusiasm, or energy. It refers to the metaphorical action of removing the wind from a ship's sails, which prevents it from moving forward effectively.
  • take the wind out of sm's sails The idiom "take the wind out of someone's sails" means to diminish someone's enthusiasm, confidence, or momentum by saying or doing something that discourages or deflates them. It can also refer to thwarting someone's plans or ambitions, leaving them feeling disheartened or demotivated. This expression typically implies an action or remark that takes away a person's sense of accomplishment or excitement.
  • take the wind out of sb's sails The idiom "take the wind out of someone's sails" means to deflate or diminish someone's confidence, enthusiasm, or momentum, often by delivering unexpected news, criticism, or a setback that dampens their spirits or weakens their resolve. It figuratively compares the effect to stealing the wind that powers a sailboat, leaving it adrift and powerless.
  • take the wind out of somebody’s sails The idiom "take the wind out of somebody’s sails" means to deflate someone's confidence or enthusiasm, usually by saying or doing something discouraging or unexpected. It implies the act of undermining or diminishing someone's self-assurance or ambitions.

Similar spelling words for SAILS

Conjugate verb Sails

CONDITIONAL

I would sail
we would sail
you would sail
he/she/it would sail
they would sail

FUTURE

I will sail
we will sail
you will sail
he/she/it will sail
they will sail

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have sailed
we will have sailed
you will have sailed
he/she/it will have sailed
they will have sailed

PAST

I sailed
we sailed
you sailed
he/she/it sailed
they sailed

PAST PERFECT

I had sailed
we had sailed
you had sailed
he/she/it had sailed
they had sailed

PRESENT

I sail
we sail
you sail
he/she/it sails
they sail

PRESENT PERFECT

I have sailed
we have sailed
you have sailed
he/she/it has sailed
they have sailed
I am sailing
we are sailing
you are sailing
he/she/it is sailing
they are sailing
I was sailing
we were sailing
you were sailing
he/she/it was sailing
they were sailing
I will be sailing
we will be sailing
you will be sailing
he/she/it will be sailing
they will be sailing
I have been sailing
we have been sailing
you have been sailing
he/she/it has been sailing
they have been sailing
I had been sailing
we had been sailing
you had been sailing
he/she/it had been sailing
they had been sailing
I will have been sailing
we will have been sailing
you will have been sailing
he/she/it will have been sailing
they will have been sailing
I would have sailed
we would have sailed
you would have sailed
he/she/it would have sailed
they would have sailed
I would be sailing
we would be sailing
you would be sailing
he/she/it would be sailing
they would be sailing
I would have been sailing
we would have been sailing
you would have been sailing
he/she/it would have been sailing
they would have been sailing

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