View synonyms for sea

sea

[ see ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the salt waters that cover the greater part of the earth's surface.
a division of these waters, of considerable extent, more or less definitely marked off by land boundaries:
the North Sea.
one of the seven seas; ocean.
a large lake or landlocked body of water.
the degree or amount of turbulence of the ocean or other body of water, as caused by the wind.
the waves.
a large wave:
The heavy seas almost drowned us.
a widely extended, copious, or overwhelming quantity:
a sea of faces; a sea of troubles.
Synonyms: mass, abundance, host, multitude
the work, travel, and shipboard life of a sailor:
The sea is a hard life but a rewarding one.
Astronomy. mare ³.

adjective

of, relating to, or adapted for use at sea.

sea

/ siː /

noun

1. the mass of salt water on the earth's surface as differentiated from the land marinemaritimethalassic
2. ( as modifier )
  sea air
capital when part of place name
1. one of the smaller areas of ocean
  the Irish Sea
2. a large inland area of water
  the Caspian Sea
turbulence or swell, esp of considerable size
heavy seas
capital when part of a name astronomy any of many huge dry plains on the surface of the moon See also mare 2
anything resembling the sea in size or apparent limitlessness
the life or career of a sailor (esp in the phrase follow the sea )
at sea
1. on the ocean
2. in a state of confusion
go to sea
to become a sailor
put to sea or put out to sea
to embark on a sea voyage

sea

/ sē /

The continuous body of salt water that covers most of the Earth's surface.
A region of water within an ocean and partly enclosed by land, such as the North Sea.
See Note at ocean
A large body of either fresh or salt water that is completely enclosed by land, such as the Caspian Sea.
Astronomy.
A mare.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of sea¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English see, Old English sǣ; cognate with Dutch zee, German See, Old Norse sær “sea,” Gothic saiws “marsh”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of sea¹

Old English sǣ; related to Old Norse sǣr, Old Frisian sē, Gothic saiws, Old High German sēo

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

at sea, Also
1. on the ocean.
2. perplexed; uncertain:
  completely at sea as to how to answer the question.
follow the sea, to pursue a nautical career:
Many boys then dreamed of following the sea.
go to sea,
1. to set out on a voyage.
2. to embark on a nautical career.
half seas over, Slang. partly or completely drunk: Also
They came home at dawn, looking half seas over.
put to sea, to embark on a sea voyage: Also put out to sea.
The expedition is nearly ready to put to sea.

More idioms and phrases containing sea

In addition to the idiom beginning with sea , also see at sea ; between a rock and a hard place (devil and the deep blue sea) ; high seas ; not the only fish in the sea ; put out (to sea) .

Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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