What does reefed mean?
Reefed is the past tense and past participle of reef, a nautical verb meaning to shorten a sail so that it catches less wind. The action is called reefing and is commonly performed when weather conditions become stronger or when a vessel needs to reduce its speed. A reefed sail may have been shortened by lowering part of its upper edge and tying or securing the reduced section beneath the boom. As an adjective, reefed describes a sail that has undergone this adjustment: “The boat sailed with a reefed mainsail.” The word is used in formal, technical, and literary contexts, especially in sailing, maritime history, and descriptions of severe weather. Although modern yachts may use more complex sail-control systems, reefing remains a familiar nautical term and an important traditional seamanship technique. In figurative writing, the expression “reef in” can mean to limit spending, commitments, or ambition.
Past tense and past participle of reef: to shorten a sail or reduce the area of sail exposed to the wind.
"The captain ordered the crew to reef the sails before the squall."
A transitive nautical verb that is also used figuratively in the expression “reef in,” meaning to limit spending or commitments.
Shortened by taking in part of a sail.
"They continued along the coast under a reefed foresail."
Normally used attributively before a noun such as “sail.”
A reefed sail turns one piece of canvas into a smaller, sturdier sail—the nautical equivalent of lowering your sails.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reefed come from?
The base verb reef comes from Old Norse rif, meaning “reef” or “ridge,” and entered Middle English in that form. The modern form reefed was created by adding the regular English past-tense and past-participle ending -ed. Related forms such as reefing and reefer preserve the same nautical root, with the latter originally referring to a ship or worker associated with reefing sails.
How reefed is actually used
The form is especially associated with sailing and older nautical usage. It can function as a verb by itself or as an adjective immediately before a noun, as in “reefed sail.”
Easily confused with reefed
A reef is the verb for shortening a sail, while reefed is its past tense, past participle, and attributive adjective form.
Reaped means harvested a crop, whereas reefed means shortened a sail.