What does dinghy mean?
A dinghy is a small open boat, usually propelled by oars or sails, most familiarly the kind carried aboard or towed behind a larger vessel to ferry people and goods to shore. In British English the word also commonly denotes a small inflatable rubber boat, and 'dinghy sailing' names a popular sport of racing light, nimble sailboats of this class. The word entered English in the early nineteenth century from Bengali 'ḍiṅgi' or Hindi 'ḍeṅgī', meaning a small native riverboat, making it one of many nautical terms absorbed into English during the colonial era. Compact, practical, and unpretentious, the dinghy evokes everyday seamanship rather than grand voyages — the humble workhorse that links ship and shore.
nounA small open boat, typically rowed or sailed, often carried on or towed by a larger vessel; in British usage, also an inflatable boat of this kind.
- A small open rowing or sailing boat, especially one used as a tender to a larger vessel.
- (British) A small inflatable rubber boat.
"The crew lowered the dinghy into the water and rowed ashore for supplies."
"They paddled the dinghy across the calm bay to reach the mooring."
"A bright yellow inflatable dinghy bobbed beside the yacht."
Standard plural, following the regular y-to-ies pattern after a consonant.
"Half a dozen dinghies were tied up at the jetty."
The word 'dinghy' sailed all the way from Bengal: it comes from the Hindi 'ḍeṅgī', a small riverboat used on Indian waterways long before it reached English harbours.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dinghy
Dinghy derives from the Bengali 'ḍiṅgi' and related Hindi 'ḍeṅgī', terms for a small native boat used on South Asian rivers. British sailors and traders encountered these vessels during their presence in India and adopted the word into English in the early nineteenth century, first recording it around 1810–1820. It remains one of the many loanwords from Indian languages enriching English maritime vocabulary.
How dinghy is actually used
In British English, 'dinghy' frequently refers to small sailing boats raced competitively (as in dinghy racing) as well as inflatable craft; American speakers are more likely to say 'rowboat' or 'skiff' for the rowed variety. The plural is usually 'dinghies'; the variant pronunciation /ˈdɪŋɡi/ is heard but less standard.
Easily confused with dinghy
A dhow is a lateen-rigged sailing vessel of the Arabian and Indian coasts, far larger than the small boat called a dinghy.
A dingo is an Australian wild dog, not a boat — the two words merely sound similar.