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

These are hovering electric boat planes — known as electric hydrofoil craft — that will be able to dash over the water from Dubai to Abu Dhabi in just half an hour, with services expected from 2027. —Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

Like electric vehicles, electric vessels like Arc's sport boats or Candela's hydrofoils require vastly less maintenance because of their simpler powertrains. —Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 13 Jan. 2025

There are public ferries and fast hydrofoils departing from Molo Beverello, the ferry dock in Naples. —Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2025

Aiming for a 2025 launch, the Ultima 66 will be available with diesel-electric propulsion and solar panels, along with an optional hydrofoil. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 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