deck hand

NOUN

jack

Synonyms

STRONG

bluejacket boater cadet diver jack-tar lascar marine mariner mate middy navigator pilot pirate salt seafarer seaman shipmate swab tar tarpaulin windjammer

WEAK

able-bodied sailor circumnavigator hearty midshipman/woman old salt sea dog sea person shellback swabber swabbie water dog yachter

NOUN

sailor

Synonyms

STRONGEST

boater cadet diver marine pilot

STRONG

bluejacket jack lascar mariner mate middy navigator pirate salt seafarer shipmate swab tar tarpaulin windjammer

WEAK

able-bodied sailor circumnavigator hearty midshipman/woman old salt sea dog sea person shellback swabber swabbie water dog yachter

NOUN

seafarer

Synonyms

STRONG

bluejacket boater mariner mate middy pirate

WEAK

boatman/woman midshipman/woman old salt sailorman/woman sea dog seaman/woman swabbie yachtsman/woman

NOUN

seaman/woman

Synonyms

WEAK

bluejacket boater boatman/woman mariner mate middy midshipman/woman old salt pirate sailorman/woman sea dog seafarer swabbie yachtsman/woman

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He works as a deck hand, helping to load coal onto river barges.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

The deck hand went onto the deck to close the yacht's windows.

From BBC • May 14, 2025

Huynh was hired as a deck hand but served as the vessel’s de facto captain, Dysart said.

From Washington Times • Apr. 6, 2018

For a couple of years in the 1960s, he worked as a deck hand on the state ferries.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 5, 2018

Everybody paid her attention, from the skipper down to the humblest deck hand.

From A Bid for Fortune or Dr. Nikola's Vendetta by Boothby, Guy