motor-boat

A family rides in a motor-boat on the lake.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A watercraft propelled by an engine: "motor-boat" refers to a boat that is powered by an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, used for recreation, transportation, or sport.
   • A type of leisure vessel: In common usage, it often denotes a small to medium-sized boat designed for speed or pleasure cruising on lakes, rivers, or coastal waters.

2. Verb:

   • To travel by motor-boat: "motor-boat" means to go somewhere or engage in an activity using a motor-boat, typically for leisure or transport.
   • To operate a motor-boat: To drive or navigate a boat that has a motor.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • We rented a motor-boat for the afternoon to explore the lake. (A boat with an engine for recreational use.)
  • The harbour was filled with sleek motor-boats and sailing yachts. (Motor-powered vessels in contrast to sailboats.)

• Verb:

  • They motor-boated across the bay to reach the island. (They travelled using a motor-boat.)
  • He loves to motor-boat along the coast on weekends. (He enjoys operating a motor-boat for leisure.)

Advanced Usage

• "to motor-boat around": to travel aimlessly or explore an area by motor-boat.

  • We spent the whole day motor-boating around the archipelago. (We cruised leisurely among the islands.)

• "motor-boat race": a competitive event involving motor-boats.

  • The annual motor-boat race attracted participants from all over the country. (A speed competition for motor-boats.)

Variants and Related Words

• Motorboat (n, alternative spelling): the more common single-word form of "motor-boat."

  • He bought a new motorboat for fishing trips. (Same meaning as motor-boat.)

• Motorboating (n): the activity or sport of using a motor-boat.

  • Motorboating is popular in coastal regions. (The pastime of operating a motor-boat.)

Synonyms

• Powerboat: a boat driven by an engine, often emphasizing speed or power.
• Speedboat: a fast motor-boat designed for high-speed travel.
• Launch: a large motor-boat used for transport or ceremonial purposes.

Phrasal Verbs

• Motor-boat off: to depart quickly in a motor-boat.

  • They motor-boated off before the storm hit. (They left the area rapidly in their boat.)

• Motor-boat over: to travel across a short distance by motor-boat.

  • Let's motor-boat over to the other side of the lake. (Cross the lake using the boat.)

Related Idioms

• "Motor-boat it": informal expression meaning to travel by motor-boat.

  • If the weather is good, we'll just motor-boat it to the picnic spot. (We will use the motor-boat as our means of transport.)

• "Full throttle in a motor-boat": to go at maximum speed or effort in a situation.

  • He approached the project like a full throttle in a motor-boat, finishing ahead of schedule. (He worked with intense speed and energy.)