stowaway

USAGE SUMMARY

"stowaway" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use the word to describe a person who hides themselves away on a journey without paying or having permission, when they are not supposed to be there. Example sentence: After they received the tip-off, the police searched the ship and found a stowaway hiding in the storage room.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Authorities in the southern Italian port of Gioia Tauro found a stowaway in a well-appointed container, fitted out with a bed, toilet, heater and water.

The Economist

In 1926 he left for America as a stowaway.

The Economist

On July 25th he warned other boat people that "even if you get here, you won't stay here".One who has stayed, though, is an Ethiopian refugee who arrived last year in Gladstone, a port in the state of Queensland, as a stowaway on a ship.

The Economist

As commercial shipping expanded worldwide in the 18th and 19th centuries, Aedes was a stowaway, possibly from Africa.

The Economist

Remnants of these expeditions under the leadership of a stowaway, Vasco Núñez de Balboa, who had earlier been with Bastidas survived at Santa María la Antigua del Darién, on the Gulf of Urubá near the present-day Colombia-Panama border.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1926 de Kooning entered the United States as a stowaway and eventually settled in Hoboken, New Jersey, where he supported himself as a house painter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He legally changed his name to Komunyakaa in tribute to his grandfather from the West Indies, who, as family legend went, had arrived in America as a stowaway on a ship.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Born in Sicily, Gambino immigrated to the United States in 1921 as a ship stowaway, settling in Brooklyn and becoming a gang member under, successively, Joe "the Boss" Masseria, Salvatore Maranzano, Philip and Vincent Mangano, and finally (in 1951) Albert Anastasia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The previous year, she had won a second Academy Award for her portrayal of an elderly stowaway in the movie Airport (1970), which precipitated a succession of similarly eccentric movie roles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

My first notion is to glance around this luxurious designer stowaway – situated a few hundred yards from Prague's historic centre – and ponder how many Italians travel here.

Independent

In another vignette, a Mexican stowaway who suffocates in a truck trying to cross the border, leaves a "broken map" of himself on the black beans serving as his deathbed.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to emphasize illegality of the action use "stowaway" to highlight the legal ramifications of their actions.

Common error

Avoid using "stowaway" when the person has permission to be present. "Stowaway" specifically refers to someone hiding to travel without authorization.

Linguistic Context

The noun "stowaway" functions primarily as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to a person who travels secretly and without authorization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable word.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "stowaway" refers to an individual who secretly boards a vehicle for travel without permission or payment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and encyclopedic contexts. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "clandestine traveler" or "unauthorized passenger", each carries nuances that may make "stowaway" the most precise choice for describing this specific action. Remember to use "stowaway" when you want to accurately depict individuals who attempted to travel secretly. Be sure to avoid using "stowaway" when the person has permission to be present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clandestine traveler

Focuses on the secrecy of the travel rather than the means.

unauthorized passenger

Highlights the lack of permission for the journey.

hidden passenger

Highlights only that this is a passenger but in a place that cannot be seen.

secret rider

Emphasizes the hidden nature of the person's presence.

surreptitious traveler

Stresses the stealthy manner of the journey.

illegal boarder

Highlights the illegality of boarding the vehicle.

uninvited guest

Downplays the illegality and focuses on the lack of invitation.

fare dodger

Focuses on the avoidance of payment for travel.

ship jumper

Highlights the jumping from a ship, this alternative phrase implies more dangers and less security.

train hopper

Highlights the act of illegally boarding a train for travel.

FAQs

How to use "stowaway" in a sentence?

You can use "stowaway" to describe a person who hides on a ship, plane, or other vehicle to travel without paying or being detected. For example, "The authorities discovered a "stowaway" in the cargo hold."

What can I say instead of "stowaway"?

You can use alternatives like "clandestine traveler", "unauthorized passenger", or "secret rider" depending on the context.

What is the difference between a "stowaway" and an illegal immigrant?

A ""stowaway"" specifically refers to someone hiding on a vehicle to travel secretly, while an illegal immigrant is a broader term for someone residing in a country without legal permission. A "stowaway" may also be an illegal immigrant, but not always.

Is being a "stowaway" a crime?

Yes, being a ""stowaway"" is typically considered a crime in most jurisdictions, as it involves trespassing and potentially endangering the safety of the vehicle and its occupants.