Aft - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT aft /æft/ /æft/ IPA guide

When something's at the back of a boat, it's aft. You might instruct a passenger on your sailboat to move aft while you adjust the sails.

Aft, which can be used as an adverb or an adjective, is almost solely used in nautical or aeronautical terminology — in other words, when you're talking about a boat, ship, or airplane. Flight attendants usually start at the front of the cabin and move aft as they dole out drinks and pretzels, and they might instruct you to stow your huge bag in an aft compartment. The Old English root is æftan, "from behind or farthest back."

Definitions of aft

adverb at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane “stow the luggage aft” synonyms: abaft, astern see moresee less antonyms: fore near or toward the bow of a ship or cockpit of a plane
adjective (nautical, aeronautical) situated at or toward the stern or tail synonyms: back related to or located at the back after located farther aft aftermost located closest to the stern or tail see moresee less antonyms: fore situated at or toward the bow of a vessel front relating to or located in the front forward at or near or directed toward the front foremost situated closest to the bow show more antonyms...

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