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Definition of hydrofoil

hydrofoil

/ˈhaɪ.drə.fɔɪl/
hy · dro · foil
Plural:hydrofoils
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hydrofoil Lexical Profile

hydrofoil Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A high-speed motorboat or passenger ferry equipped with submerged wing-like blades that lift the hull clear of the water as the vessel accelerates, substantially reducing drag.

Example

"We took a fast hydrofoil across the bay, reaching the island in half the time of the standard ferry."

2

A submerged, wing-like fin or blade attached by struts beneath the hull of a watercraft or surfboard, designed to generate upward hydrodynamic lift as it moves through water.

Example

"The naval engineer adjusted the angle of the forward hydrofoil to improve stability in rough seas."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for hydrofoil

• Nearby Words

hydrocortisone
hydroelectric
hydroelectricity
hydrofoil
hydrogen
hydromassage
hydrometer

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 20th century from the prefix 'hydro-' (from Ancient Greek 'hydor', meaning water) and 'foil' (from Old French 'fueille' and Latin 'folium', meaning leaf), modeled on 'aerofoil' to describe a submerged wing-like blade.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hydrofoil. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hydrofoil
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