Pirate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈpī-rət/ pi·rate

Meaning & Definition of Pirate

Pirate (noun)

  1. one who commits or practices piracy

Pirate (verb)

  1. to commit piracy on
  2. to take or appropriate by piracy
  3. to reproduce without authorization especially in infringement of copyright

Pirate (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. someone who engages in robbery of ships at sea

    "Sir Francis Drake was a British pirate who preyed on Spanish ships with the connivance of Elizabeth I"

    similar: buccaneer, corsair, freebooter, rover
    related: despoiler, looter, marauder, pillager, plunderer, raider, robber, privateer

Pirate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right

    "using pirated software that was subject to copyright"

    similar: appropriate, arrogate, commandeer, convert, expropriate, preempt, press, seize, take over, usurp
    related: annex, attach, claim, confiscate, impound, repossess, sequester, assume, collar, grab, grasp, snatch, steal, wrench, wrest, despoil, loot, pillage, encroach, infringe, invade, occupy, preoccupy, trespass, embezzle, misapply, misappropriate, misuse, peculate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pirate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pirate:

buccaneer, corsair, freebooter, rover, appropriate, arrogate, commandeer, convert, expropriate, preempt, press, seize, take over, usurp

Related Words for Pirate

despoiler, looter, marauder, pillager, plunderer, raider, robber, privateer, annex, attach, claim, confiscate, impound, repossess, sequester, assume, collar, grab, grasp, snatch, steal, wrench, wrest, despoil, loot, pillage, encroach, infringe, invade, occupy

Word Forms of Pirate

Inflections: pirated, pirating

Derived words: piratical (adjective), piratically (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Pirate

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin pirata, from Greek peiratēs, from peiran to attempt fear

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Pirate

Frequently Asked Questions about Pirate

What does "Pirate" mean?

"Pirate" means one who commits or practices piracy. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: one who commits or practices piracy. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Pirate"?

Other words for "Pirate" include buccaneer, corsair, freebooter, rover, appropriate, arrogate, commandeer and convert. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pirate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pirate"?

There are 51 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pirate". Common alternatives include buccaneer, corsair, freebooter, rover, appropriate, arrogate, commandeer, convert, expropriate and preempt.

How do you use "Pirate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pirate" in a sentence: "Sir Francis Drake was a British pirate who preyed on Spanish ships with the connivance of Elizabeth I"; "using pirated software that was subject to copyright".

Is "Pirate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Pirate" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Pirate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Pirate" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Pirate"?

"Pirate" is pronounced /ˈpī-rət/ and divided into syllables as pi·rate.

What is the origin of the word "Pirate"?

"Pirate" comes from Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin pirata, from Greek peiratēs, from peiran to attempt fear. First known use: 15th century.