AFT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does aft mean? 

• AFT (adjective)
  The adjective AFT has 1 sense:

1. (nautical, aeronautical) situated at or toward the stern or tail

  Familiarity information: AFT used as an adjective is very rare.

• AFT (adverb)
  The adverb AFT has 1 sense:

1. at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane

  Familiarity information: AFT used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• AFT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(nautical, aeronautical) situated at or toward the stern or tail

Similar:

after (located farther aft)

aftermost (located closest to the stern or tail)

Also:

back (related to or located at the back)

Antonym:

fore (situated at or toward the bow of a vessel)

• AFT (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

At or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane

Synonyms:

abaft; aft; astern

Context example:

the captain looked astern to see what the fuss was about

Antonym:

fore (near or toward the bow of a ship or cockpit of a plane)

 Context examples 

And having commanded, he went aft with his peculiar tigerish leaps to the wheel.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

It occurred to me there was no time to lose, and dodging the boom as it once more lurched across the deck, I slipped aft and down the companion stairs into the cabin.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“Good Master Hawtayne,” cried the boatswain, rushing aft, “the water comes in upon us apace. The waves have driven in the sail wherewith we strove to stop the hole.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

We reefed the fore-sail and set him, and hauled aft the fore-sheet; the helm was hard a-weather.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

The man next to me, upon the aft side, was one whom I had particularly noticed when we were led down the quay.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The coastguard ran aft, and when he came beside the wheel, bent over to examine it, and recoiled at once as though under some sudden emotion.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“Stand by that jib with Johnson and Oofty! The rest of you tail aft to the mainsheet! Lively now! or I’ll sail you all into Kingdom Come! Understand?”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Darby M'Graw!” again and again and again; and then rising a little higher, and with an oath that I leave out: “Fetch aft the rum, Darby!”

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Fore and aft the archers had cleared the galleys' decks, but from either side the rovers had poured down into the waist, where the seamen and bowmen were pushed back and so mingled with their foes that it was impossible for their comrades above to draw string to help them.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I saw him pulled aft to the cabin, and noted with a shock of surprise that the galley had disappeared.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)