Meaning & use
foilers
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“foilers” is a form of “foiler”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Boats or boards fitted with underwater wings that lift the hull above the water as they gain speed.
Grammar: Countable noun; the singular is 'foiler', and the plural 'foilers' refers to more than one such craft.
Patterns
- a fleet of foilers
- race a foiler
- foilers in the America's Cup
The new generation of foilers can reach speeds that ordinary sailboats never manage.
Spectators watched the foilers rise up on their hydrofoils and skim across the bay.
He spent the summer learning to handle one of the small single-handed foilers.
nounplural
People who use hydrofoil boards or boats, especially in kitesurfing, windsurfing, or sailing.
Grammar: Countable noun meaning the people themselves, so it takes a plural verb: 'The foilers are training.'
Patterns
- experienced foilers
- a group of foilers
Experienced foilers make the lift look effortless, but beginners fall constantly.
The club organized a race just for foilers, keeping the other classes separate.
Word forms
| singular | foiler |
|---|
Common combinations
- a fleet of foilers
- A fleet of foilers gathered at the start line for the regatta.
- experienced foilers
- Only experienced foilers should try this in strong wind.
- foilers on the water
- By midday the bay was crowded with foilers on the water.
- race a foiler
- She was the first woman to race a foiler in that event.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hydrofoil
- Use 'hydrofoil' for the craft or the wing itself in general English; 'foiler' is the newer, more informal term used inside the sport.
- foiling boat
- This descriptive phrase is clearer for non-specialists, while 'foiler' assumes the reader already knows the technology.
Word family
Commonly confused: foilers or foil? foilers or spoilers?
foilers vs foil
'Foil' is the metal sheet or the verb meaning to prevent a plan; 'foiler' relates only to hydrofoil craft and their riders.
foilers vs spoilers
Similar sound, completely different meaning: 'spoilers' are surfaces on a car or aircraft, or details that ruin a story's surprise.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'foilers' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Foilers' means hydrofoil boats or their riders, so lifting off the water fits. Option An and D confuse it with 'foil', the thin metal sheet, and option C wrongly uses it as a verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “foilers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.