Definition of reef - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
marineridge of rocks or coral near water surface
- Divers explored the colorful reef.
2.
geologyTECH. US large vein of gold-bearing quartzTECH. US
- The miners discovered a rich reef.
3.
sailingDated part of a sail reduced in high windDated
- The crew took in a reef to stabilize the ship.
Verb
1.
pullingDated UK pull strongly on reins or ropesDated UK
- He reefed the horse's reins to stop it.
2.
sailingDated reduce the area of a sailDated
- The sailors reefed the sails as the wind picked up..
Images of reef
ridge of rocks or coral near water surface 
large vein of gold-bearing quartz
Expressions with reef
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
meal with seafood and beef
For dinner, I ordered the reef and beef.
natural underwater structure made of coral organisms
Divers explored the vibrant coral reef.
encounter an unexpected problem
The project struck a reef when the main developer left.
coral reef near shore but separated by water
The Great Barrier Reef is a famous barrier reef.
shark living in coral reefs, often Carcharhinidae family
The reef shark swam gracefully among the corals.
shark living in shallow tropical waters with black-tipped fins
The blacktip reef shark swims near the coral reef.
species of requiem shark found in the Indo-Pacific
The grey reef shark is often spotted near coral reefs.
small reef-dwelling shark with white-tipped fins in the Indo-Pacific
We spotted a whitetip reef shark cruising along the reef at night.
type of coral reef close to a landmass with no lagoon between
The fringing reef was visible from the shore at low tide..
wave breaking over coral reef or rock shelf
The surfers headed to the famous reef break.
knot made of two opposite overhand knots
The sailor tied a reef knot with precision.
short line stitched through a sail for tying a reef
He tied the reef line to reduce the sail's area.
short line on a sail for tying a reef
The sailor adjusted the reef point during the storm.
Origin of reef
Dutch, rif (ridge)
Terms with reef included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
ocean
waves breaking on the shore or reef
vessel
run aground on a shore or reef
reef inhabitant
large clam inhabiting reefs in the southern Pacific
geology
shelf, ridge, or reef of rocks
geography
small, low island or reef
ocean
sunken reef where sea breaks heavily
maritime
unfurl a reef from a sail
geography
coral reef off the southern coast of Florida
ocean
area where large waves break over a reef
reef creature
fish with horn-like spines over its eyes
reefing
line for hauling reef cringle to the yard
carpet
small elongated reef fish species found among corals
sea biology
very large tropical reef fish, ecologically important and targeted by sport fishers
geography
body of water separated by a reef
reef-building
corals forming reefs with calcareous skeletons
geography
reef islet formed by coral and sand
fish
wrasse species around the Great Barrier Reef
reef swimmer
schooling fish in Indian and Pacific oceans
marine
coral reef near shore but separated by water
sea life
small reef-dwelling shark with white-tipped fins in the Indo-Pacific
coral formation
type of coral reef close to a landmass with no lagoon between
surfing
wave breaking over coral reef or rock shelf
marine
location where a reef interrupts the water surface
sailing
short line stitched through a sail for tying a reef
Examples of reef in a sentence
Sailors navigated carefully around the dangerous reef. The geologist examined the ancient reef for minerals. They found a reef that promised great wealth. They adjusted the reef before the storm hit. A second reef was taken in as the wind increased. She reefed the sail quickly as the storm approached.
The sailor reefed the ropes with expertise. They had to reef the sails quickly during the storm. The captain ordered the crew to reef the mainsail.
View all translations of reef
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:récif, tirer, ...
- German:Riff, ziehen, ...
- Italian:barriera corallina, strattonare, ...
- Spanish:arrecife, tirar, ...
- Portuguese:recife, puxar, ...
- Chinese:礁石, 用力拉, ...
- Japanese:リーフ, 強く引く, ...
- Arabic:شِعَاب, شَدَّ, ...
- Hebrew:שׁוּנִית, לִמְשֹׁךְ, ...
- Russian:риф, тянуть, ...
- Ukrainian:риф, смикнути, ...
- Hindi:मूँगे की चट्टान, खींचना, ...
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