seaman

Meaning

1. Synonym of sailor, particularly on a maritime vessel.
2. A person of the lowest rank in the Navy, below able seaman.
3. An enlisted rate in the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard, ranking below petty officer third class and above seaman apprentice.
4. A merman; the male of the mermaid.

Synonyms

sailor

mariner

seafarer

gob

tar

marine

Jack

navigator

Jack-tar

old salt

sea dog

boatman

sailer

swab

Viking

deckhand

SN

jack tar

bluejacket

blue coat

crew

deck-hand

explorer

hearty

maritime

midshipman

nautical

naval

naval officer

privateer

register

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsiːmən/

Etymology

From Middle English seeman, seman, from Old English sǣmann. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Seemon (“seaman, sailor”), West Frisian seeman (“seaman, sailor”), Dutch zeeman (“seaman, sailor”), German Low German Seemann (“seaman, sailor”), German Seemann (“seaman, sailor”), Swedish sjöman (“seaman, sailor”), Norwegian sjømann (“seaman, sailor”). Equivalent to sea + -man.