Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who hides on a vehicle (especially a ship or aircraft) to travel secretly and without paying: A stowaway is someone who conceals themselves to obtain free, unauthorized passage.

Usage

• The word "stowaway" is used as a countable noun. It describes a person who commits the specific act of hiding to avoid paying for travel.
• It is typically used in contexts involving transportation, security, and immigration.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The crew discovered a stowaway in the cargo hold after the ship had left port.
  • Airport security is designed to prevent potential stowaways from boarding aircraft.
  • The documentary told the harrowing story of a stowaway who survived a long flight in the plane's wheel well.

Advanced Usage

• "to stow away" (verb phrase): The action of hiding on a vehicle to travel secretly.
  • He attempted to stow away on a freighter bound for Europe.
• Conceptual Use: The term can sometimes be used metaphorically for something hidden or carried along secretly.
  • The spy was a stowaway on the diplomatic mission, gathering information without official status.

Variants and Related Words

• Stow (verb): To pack or store something neatly and safely. This is the root verb from which "stowaway" is derived.
  • Please stow your luggage in the overhead compartment.
• Stowage (noun): The act of stowing or a place for stowing goods.

Synonyms

• Freeloader (informal): A person who takes advantage of others' generosity without giving anything in return. (Note: This is broader and less specific than "stowaway".)
• Blind passenger: A less common term with a similar meaning.

Phrasal Verbs

• Stow away: As mentioned in "Advanced Usage," this is the verb phrase from which the noun is derived.
  • The refugees planned to stow away on the next available ship.

Related Idioms

• There are no common idioms that use the exact word "stowaway." The concept is typically expressed directly by the noun or the phrasal verb "stow away."

Noun

1. a person who hides aboard a ship or plane in the hope of getting free passage