hydrofoil

noun

hy·​dro·​foil ˈhī-drə-ˌfȯi(-ə)l 

1

: a body similar to an airfoil but designed for action in or on water

2

: a motorboat that has metal plates or fins attached by struts fore and aft for lifting the hull clear of the water as speed is attained

Illustration of hydrofoil

• hydrofoil 2

Examples of hydrofoil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The hydrofoil technology of the F50s gives them the ability to travel at more than 50 knots. —Andrew Rice, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025

Hawaii has reportedly eyed the idea positively, and rival Candela has its electric hydrofoil vessels already operating in Stockholm, Sweden, with plans for Lake Tahoe in the US, as well as Saudi Arabia and New Zealand. —Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

The hydrofoil takes about an hour and costs around €30 each way. —Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2025

Candela launched a ferry in Stockholm this year that uses a hydrofoil system suited for electrification. —Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hydrofoil

• aerofoil
• cinquefoil
• quatrefoil
• airfoil
• benzoyl
• despoil
• embroil
• etoile
• gargoyle
• recoil
• subsoil
• tinfoil

Kids Definition

hydrofoil

noun

hy·​dro·​foil ˈhī-drə-ˌfȯil 

: a boat that has fins attached to the bottom by braces for lifting the hull clear of the water to allow faster speeds