pirate

[ˈpaɪ̯(ə)ɹət]
German
Persian
Russian
Spanish
pirates - pirate

A pirate is a person who sails the seas and commits crimes like robbery or theft at sea. They might even attack other ships.

Pirates are often associated with treasure hunts and swashbuckling adventures on the high seas. The word "pirate" can be used in several ways, but the most common one refers to someone who breaks the law by sailing into foreign waters or attacking other vessels. In popular culture, pirates are often romanticized as charismatic outlaws with a code of honor and a love for adventure. In movies and books, they're often depicted as being led by a fearless captain or queen. However, in reality, piracy is a serious crime that can cause harm to people and damage to economies.

How common is "pirate"?

Word pirate is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions

noun

  • A criminal who plunders at sea; commonly attacking merchant vessels, though often pillaging port towns.

    Example: You should be cautious due to the Somali pirates.

1 / 5
bootleggerbuccaneercorsair

verb

  • To appropriate by piracy, plunder at sea.

    Example: They pirated the tanker and sailed to a port where they could sell the ship and cargo.

1 / 4
counterfeitplagiarize

adjective

  • Illegally imitated or reproduced, said of a trademarked product or copyrighted work, or of the counterfeit itself.

counterfeitpirated

Real examples of "pirates" in context

Bowl image

Save 'pirates' to your personal vocabulary and increase your knowledge with smart tests!