Luffing Meaning in English

word · lemma: luff

US

ˈɫəf

LUHF-ing

UK

lˈʌf

LUHF-ing

Definition

"Luffing" means turning the front edge of a sailboat’s sail toward the wind, causing the sail to flutter. In cranes, it means raising or changing the angle of the boom (the arm).

Usage & Nuances

Specialized nautical and engineering term. In sailing, "luffing" is intentional or due to mishandling; in cranes, "luffing boom" cranes move the boom up/down without moving the base. Rare in general conversation.

• Spanish: virar al viento (náutica) - elevar la pluma (grúa)
• Portuguese (BR): aproar ao vento (náutica) - elevar a lança (guindaste)
• Portuguese (PT): aproar ao vento (náutica) - levantar a lança (grua)
• Chinese (Simplified): 上风操作（航海）- 起重臂上扬（起重机）
• Chinese (Traditional): 上風操作（航海）- 起重臂上揚（起重機）
• Hindi: हवा की दिशा में मोड़ना (नौकायन) - क्रेन का जिब उठाना
• Arabic: توجيه الشراع باتجاه الرياح (ملاحة) - رفع ذراع الرافعة
• Bengali: লাফিং (নৌকা) - বুম ওঠানো/কাত করা (ক্রেন)
• Russian: лавирование (парус) - подъём стрелы (кран)
• Japanese: ラフィング（帆を風上に向ける動作） - ブーム起伏（クレーン）
• Vietnamese: luffing (thuyền buồm) - nâng cần (cần cẩu)
• Korean: 러핑(돛을 바람 쪽으로 향함) - 붐 각도 조절(크레인)
• Turkish: luffing (yelken açısını rüzgara çevirmek) - bomu kaldırmak/eğmek (vinç)
• Urdu: لفنگ (کشتی کا帆 ہوا کی طرف کرنا) - بوم اٹھانا/جھکانا (کرین)
• Indonesian: luffing (thuyền buồm) - nâng/hạ cần (cần cẩu)

Example Sentences

The sailor is luffing the sails to slow down the boat.

basic

The crane operator started luffing the boom to lift the load.

basic

"Luffing" too much can make the sailboat lose speed.

basic

During the race, he avoided luffing unless he needed to slow down before turning.

natural

One sign of wind shifting is when you start luffing without moving the tiller.

natural

The team coordinated perfectly when luffing the boom to position the crane for the next lift.

natural