Tools: Learn New Words | Secure Password Generator | Startup Tools | PDF Generator

Luff (Verb)

Sail close to the wind.

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.

The sailor carefully adjusted the sail to luff just enough to avoid a collision with the nearby boat.
To maximize speed, the boat needed to luff slightly and harness the power of the wind more efficiently.
As the wind shifted, the sail began to luff violently, signaling a dramatic change in sailing conditions.
Luffing the sail slightly allowed the crew to maintain control while navigating through the crowded harbor.
The experienced captain instructed the crew to luff the sail to better position themselves for the upcoming turn.

Flap when the wind is blowing equally on both sides; "the sails luffed".

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.

The loose sail began to luff in the strong gusts of wind, flapping wildly as it lost its shape.
As the wind shifted and caught the sail from directly forward, the sail started to luff and lost its power to propel the boat.
The helmsman had difficulty steering the boat when the sail luffed, as it was unable to generate enough force to push the vessel through the water.
The sail luffed badly as the boat turned into the wind, making it harder for the sailors to maintain their course.
When the wind died down, the large sail on the yacht luffed limply, unable to stay fully inflated or propel the boat forward.