abaft

1 of 2

adverb

ə-ˈbaft How to pronounce abaft (audio)
Synonyms of abaftnext
: toward or at the stern : aft

abaft

2 of 2

preposition

: to the rear of
specifically : toward the stern from

Synonyms

Adverb

Preposition

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of abaft in a Sentence

Adverb the lookout in the crow's nest warned that there was an enemy frigate abaft and bearing down hard on their ship Preposition a school of porpoises swam abaft the fishing boat

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from a- + baft in the rear, from Old English bæftan, from be- + æftan behind — more at aft

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of abaft was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near abaft

ab aeterno

abaft

a bag/bundle of nerves

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Abaft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abaft. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

abaft

1 of 2 adverb
ə-ˈbaft
: toward the stern : at the stern

abaft

2 of 2 preposition
: to the rear of
especially : toward the stern from

More from Merriam-Webster on abaft

Nglish: Translation of abaft for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of abaft for Arabic Speakers

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