What does sloop mean?
A sloop is a sailing boat with one mast and a fore-and-aft rig, meaning that its sails are set along the length of the hull rather than square across it. Although sloops are usually smaller than schooners and yawls, the term has described a variety of boats over time. Historically, navies also used sloops as small, lightly armed vessels for patrol, communication, and exploration, and the word appears in accounts of voyages and naval conflicts from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Today, it most often refers to recreational or racing sailboats, where it evokes graceful movement and traditional seamanship. The term can also be used more broadly for a small single-masted sailing craft. In general, “sloop” is a precise and traditional label that distinguishes the vessel’s rig as well as its usual size.
A sailing boat with a single mast and a fore-and-aft rig, usually smaller than a schooner or yawl.
"The harbor tour included a beautiful old sloop with broad white sails."
Common in modern British and American English for recreational and racing sailboats.
A small, usually single-masted sailing vessel formerly employed in naval service for patrol, dispatch, or exploration.
"The squadron sent a sloop to carry dispatches along the coast."
This historical sense is chiefly found in naval history and historical literature.
The standard plural is “sloops.”
"Several elegant sloops remained anchored in the bay."
One mast was enough: the sloop became the classic small sailing boat of recreation, racing, and naval exploration.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sloop come from?
The English word comes through Dutch sloep, from a Middle Dutch form associated with a small sailing vessel. The Dutch term is commonly connected with an Old Dutch or Middle Dutch word meaning to glide or slip, reflecting the craft's movement through the water. The word was subsequently borrowed into English, where it became established for small single-masted sailing vessels. Related forms appear in languages such as German and Swedish.
How sloop is actually used
The modern sense is chiefly associated with recreational sailing and small racing boats. In historical writing, “sloop” can denote a range of naval vessels whose size and rig varied between periods.
Easily confused with sloop
A sloop is a boat, whereas a loop is a curved or closed shape, such as in a rope or an electronic program.