paraglider

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A person who flies using a paraglider, a light aircraft with a fabric wing and no engine.

   Grammar: Countable; plural is paragliders. Use 'a paraglider' for one person or one aircraft.

   Patterns

   • a paraglider pilot
   • fly a paraglider

   The paraglider landed softly on the beach.

   She became a paraglider after taking lessons in the mountains.

   Paragliders often carry a reserve parachute.

2. 2nouncountable

   The aircraft itself, consisting of a fabric wing and a harness for the pilot.

   Grammar: Countable; refers to the equipment. 'A paraglider' can mean the wing or the whole craft.

   Patterns

   • launch a paraglider
   • pack a paraglider

   He packed his paraglider into a backpack.

   The paraglider was caught by a strong gust of wind.

   Modern paragliders are made of lightweight nylon.

Word forms

Common combinations

paraglider pilot

The paraglider pilot soared above the valley.

paraglider accident

He was injured in a paraglider accident last year.

tandem paraglider

They went on a tandem paraglider flight together.

Synonyms and how they differ

hang glider

A hang glider has a rigid frame and the pilot lies flat, while a paraglider has a soft wing and the pilot sits upright.

parachutist

A parachutist jumps from a plane and descends, whereas a paraglider launches from a hill and can stay up for hours.

Word family

paragliding noun

The sport of flying a paraglider.

Commonly confused: paraglider or parasailing?

Practice

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