parasail

parasail — noun

1. a wide parachute-shaped canopy, attached to a long rope, that lifts its rider hi

1.nounC1
Definition

a wide parachute-shaped canopy, attached to a long rope, that lifts its rider high above the sea or ground when a speedboat or jeep tows the rope at speed.

Example

Marco strapped into the bright red parasail and waited for the boat to pull him up.

strap into a parasail

From the beach, Lina watched a yellow parasail rise above Phuket harbour.

parasail rises above [location]

Common collocations
  • red/yellow parasail
  • rent a parasail
  • fold a parasail
  • tow a parasail
Synonyms
  • parachute

    general term; only some parachutes are parasails (towed)

  • paraglider

    similar canopy, but launched from a hill, not towed by a boat

Usage Note

Subject of 'rent', 'open', or 'fold' is typical at beach resorts. The parasail itself is the canopy; the activity is 'parasailing'.

Common Mistakes

I bought a parasail boat for the holiday.
I booked a parasail ride for the holiday.
the parasail is the canopy, not the boat that pulls it.
She wore a parasail on her back.
She wore a parachute on her back.
parasails are towed by a boat or vehicle, not worn for skydiving.

parasail — verb

Word family

  • parasailing
    nounC1
  • parasailer
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four describe flying with the help of fabric or wings, but the launch and control differ. To 'parasail' is the most casual: a boat or jeep tows you up while you sit in a harness under a fixed canopy, so almost any tourist can try it on a beach holiday. To 'paraglide' you run off a hill or cliff and steer a soft wing using lines in your hands — it needs training and good wind. To 'hang-glide' is similar in launch but you hang from a rigid metal frame, which gives faster, more aggressive flight. To 'skydive' is the boldest of the four: you jump from a plane and free-fall before opening a parachute. So tourists in Phuket parasail, weekend pilots paraglide off the Alps, and thrill-seekers skydive from 4,000 metres.

parasail ↗paraglidehang-glideskydive ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • parasail ride
  • parasail boat
  • parasail rope
  • parasail harness

Adverbs

Phrases

  • go parasailing
  • rent a parasail
  • tow a parasail

Prepositions

Etymology

FrenchOld EnglishEnglish

A blend of 'parachute' and 'sail', first used in the 1960s when boat operators began towing parachute-like canopies behind motorboats to lift riders into the air. 'Parachute' itself comes from French 'para-' (meaning 'against' or 'protection from') plus 'chute' ('a fall'); 'sail' comes from Old English 'segl', the cloth that catches the wind on a ship. The verb form appeared a little later as the activity grew popular at beach resorts.