What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
keelboat
Example
The keelboat was perfect for navigating the shallow waters of the river. [keelboat: noun]
Example
He spent the weekend racing his keelboat against other sailors. [keelboat: adjective]
sailboat
Example
We spent the afternoon sailing our small sailboat on the lake. [sailing: verb]
Example
The sailboat was equipped with a motor for when there was no wind. [sailboat: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sailboat is more commonly used than keelboat in everyday language. Sailboat is a more general term that covers a wider range of boats, while keelboat is a more specific type of boat used mainly for competitive sailing or transportation on rivers and lakes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between keelboat and sailboat?
Both keelboat and sailboat can be used in formal and informal contexts, but keelboat may be more associated with technical or specialized language due to its use in competitive sailing races.
