free diver

noun

plural free divers
: a person who engages in free diving
Using just their lungs, free divers have kept going deeper and holding their breath longer than anyone expected.John Tierney

called also skin diver

Examples of free diver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trained Individuals People who train to increase their breath-holding abilities, like free divers—people who swim or dive beneath the water’s surface to a considerable depth and without assistance from a breathing device–have reportedly been able to hold their breath for three minutes or longer. Patty Weasler, Verywell Health, 4 June 2025 The women free divers descend as many as 60 feet (18 meters) multiple times a day, through pregnancy and old age, with no breathing equipment and only the aid of wet suits. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 11 May 2025 The picture will focus on five athletes who specialize in similarly jaw-dropping sports: free diver Alenka Artnik, skier Markus Eder, rock climber Alex Honnold, BASE jumper Katie Hansen Lajeunesse, and surfer Kai Lenny. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2025 From the Edge will follow five extreme athletes: free diver Alenka Artnik, skier Markus Eder, rock climber Alex Honnold, BASE jumper Katie Hansen Lajeunesse and surfer Kai Lenny, using proprietary camera technology. Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for free diver

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free diver was in 1951

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Cite this Entry

“Free diver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20diver. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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