Definition

1. Noun:

   • (Nautical) The forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail: The edge of a triangular sail (like a mainsail or jib) that is attached to and runs along the mast.
   • The act of sailing a vessel close to the wind: The action of steering a boat so that its bow points as nearly as possible into the direction from which the wind is coming.

2. Verb:

   • To steer a sailing vessel closer into the wind: To change course so the boat heads more directly into the wind.
   • To flap or shake (of a sail): When a sail is not properly filled with wind because the boat is pointed too close to the wind, causing its forward edge to flutter.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The sailor checked the tension along the luff of the mainsail.
  • The captain ordered a slight luff to gain more upwind advantage.

• Verb:

  • Luff the boat slightly to avoid that buoy.
  • The genoa began to luff noisily as we turned into the wind.

Advanced Usage

• "To luff up" or "To luff into the wind": A phrasal verb meaning to turn the boat's bow sharply into the wind, often to slow down or stop.

  • We'll luff up to pick up the mooring buoy.

• "In the luff": A phrase describing the area or condition of the sail's leading edge.

  • There's a tear in the luff of the jib.

Variants and Related Words

• Luffing (gerund/noun): The action or state of a sail flapping.
  • The constant luffing damaged the sail's stitching.

Synonyms

• Edge (for the noun, specifically the sail part).
• Flap or Shake (for the verb, describing the sail's action).
• Pinch or Sail close-hauled (for the verb, describing the steering action).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Luff up: To turn the boat's bow into the wind.
  • Luff up now to spill wind from the sail.

Related Idioms

• "To luff and bear away": A sailing maneuver describing turning into the wind and then back downwind; sometimes used metaphorically to describe a change in approach or tactic.
  • In the debate, he luffed and bore away from his original argument.

Noun

1. the act of sailing close to the wind
2. (nautical) the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail that is next to the mast

Verb

1. flap when the wind is blowing equally on both sides
   • the sails luffed
2. sail close to the wind