noun

reef

noun

A ridge of rock, sand, or coral lying at or near the surface of the sea.

"Divers explored the coral reef just off the coast."

A section of a sail that can be rolled up and tied down to reduce its area in strong wind.

"The crew took in a reef as the storm approached."

verb

To reduce the area of a sail by rolling or folding part of it.

"They reefed the mainsail before the squall hit."

How to Use Reef

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA ridge near the water's surface (rock or coral), or, in sailing, to shorten a sail in high wind.

Common pairings

coral reef reef knot reef the sail

Word Forms

reefer comparative, more reef comparative, reefed past tense, reefs plural, reefs plural, reefs plural, Reefs plural, reefs singular, reefest superlative, most reef superlative

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Divers explored the coral _____ just off the coast.

Etymology

From Old Norse rif, \"rib, reef,\" the same root that gives us rib.

Rhymes for reef

beef

See all rhymes for reef →