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1a vehicle (smaller than a ship) that travels on water, moved by oars, sails, or a motor an inflatable boat a fishing boat You can take a boat trip along the coast. see canal boat, houseboat, lifeboat, motorboat, powerboat, rowboat, sailboat, speedboat, steamboat
- 2any ship “How are you going to Nantucket?” “We're going by boat (= by ferry).” see also gravy boat, sauceboat Idioms
to be in the same difficult situation
to be what someone likes You can listen to whatever kind of music floats your boat.
to be unable to take advantage of something because you are too late If you don't buy now, you may find that you've missed the boat.
to do something that upsets a situation and causes problems She was told to keep her mouth shut and not rock the boat.
Check pronunciation: boat