bight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bight" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to a bend or indentation in geographical features, particularly coastlines or rivers, and can be used in discussions about geography or navigation. Example: "The ship sailed into the bight, seeking shelter from the approaching storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the North Sea eight huge platforms will also be built, each seven storeys high and the size of a football pitch, to collect the output from the windmills, convert it into high-voltage direct current and then send it ashore through cables.The technology for building and operating this sort of transmission system in the howling gales of the German Bight is largely untried.

The Economist

To the Dutch crowds, here was their country's maritime identity reaffirmed, in the heart of the country; and a great number of Dutch can tell a barque from a bight.

The Economist

A variant, the running bowline, is used to make a lasso, and another variant, the bowline on a bight, can be comfortably used as a sling to raise or lower a person seated in the loop.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A bowline is made by laying the rope's end over its standing part to form a bight over the end, then taking the end around behind the standing part and through the bight.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When used as a sling to raise or lower a person, the bowline on a bight, made by doubling the rope on itself, is more comfortable than a simple bowline.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The apparent fit of the bulge of eastern South America into the bight of Africa, magnetic stripes on the ocean floors, earthquake distribution, paleomagnetic data, and various other observations are now regarded as natural consequences of a single plate-tectonics model.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Noting the apparent fit of the bulge of eastern South America into the bight of Africa, the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt theorized about 1800 that the lands bordering the Atlantic Ocean had once been joined.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is bordered on the east by the Cameroon republic and fronts the Bight of Biafra on the south.

Encyclopedia Britannica

First, Ranger Cumbo told the history of the harbor & the difference between "bite" & "bight".

The New Yorker

Because of the direction of the wind at the time of the wreck, most of the oil that went ashore was confined to a bight called Wild Harbor and the stream running into it.

The New Yorker

In Bishop's poem "The Bight," he appears in a description of low tide: "One can smell it turning to gas; if one were Baudelaire / one could probably hear it turning to marimba music".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing coastlines or geographical features, use "bight" to specifically denote a broad, curving indentation larger than a bay but smaller than a gulf. This term is particularly useful in geographical or nautical contexts for precise descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "bight" interchangeably with "bay" or "cove" without considering the size and shape of the indentation. "Bight" refers to a specific type of coastal curve, and using a more general term can reduce the precision of your description.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "bight" is as a noun, referring to a bend, curve, or indentation in a coastline, river, or rope. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, providing examples from diverse contexts such as geography and nautical terminology.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

45%

News & Media

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bight" is a noun that refers to a bend or curve, most commonly in a coastline, but also in ropes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is used frequently in encyclopedias and news media, marking a neutral to formal register. When writing, remember that while "bight" is similar to "bay" or "cove", it indicates a broader, more sweeping indentation. Understanding the nuances of "bight" allows for more precise and descriptive writing, particularly in geographical and nautical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bay

Refers to a broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inward; less specific regarding size than "bight".

cove

A small, sheltered bay or inlet, often enclosed and more intimate than a "bight".

inlet

A narrow passage of water extending into the land from a sea or lake.

indentation

A deep recess or notch on the edge or surface of something.

recess

A small space created by building part of a wall further back from the rest.

bend

A curve or turn in a road, river, coastline, or similar feature; emphasizes the curvature.

curve

A continuously bending line, without angles; similar to bend but more general.

hollow

A cavity or space within something.

loop

A shape produced by a curve that bends round and crosses itself.

angle

The space (usually measured in degrees) between two intersecting lines or surfaces at or close to the point where they meet.

FAQs

How is a "bight" different from a bay?

A "bight" is generally larger and more open than a bay. While both are indentations in a coastline, a bay is typically more sheltered and enclosed, while a "bight" is a broader, more sweeping curve.

Where might I encounter the term "bight"?

You'll often find "bight" used in geographical descriptions, nautical charts, and historical accounts of coastal exploration. For example, the "Bight of Benin" is a well-known geographical feature.

Is "bight" a common term in everyday conversation?

No, "bight" is more frequently used in specific contexts like geography, sailing, or knot-tying. In casual conversation, alternatives like "bay" or "curve" may be more appropriate.

Can "bight" refer to anything other than a coastal feature?

Yes, "bight" can also refer to a bend or loop in a rope. For example, a "bowline on a bight" is a type of knot. The coastal meaning is more common, though.