Meaning & use
reef
A ridge of rock, coral, or sand lying just below or at the surface of the sea.
See it in a sentence
Divers explored the coral reef, marveling at its bright fish and intricate formations.
The ship ran aground on a hidden reef just off the coast.
A note on using this word
"Coral reef" is the most common collocation; reefs can also be made of rock or sand, not just coral.
Words with a similar meaning
shoalsandbar
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. verb
To reduce the area of a sail by rolling or folding part of it.
The crew reefed the mainsail as the wind grew stronger before the storm.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “reef”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.