Meaning & use
luffing
Last updated
Flapping loosely because a sail is not catching the wind properly, or steering a sailing vessel's bow toward the wind to bring this about.
See it in a sentence
The mainsail began luffing as the helmsman turned too far into the wind.
Racers use luffing to slow down and control their position before the starting gun.
A note on using this word
Luffing is also a term in crane operation, describing the raising or lowering of a crane's jib.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. verb
The raising or lowering of a crane's jib or boom.
The operator adjusted the luffing angle to reach the upper floors.
Make it your own
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