1 C1 formal
(Nautical) To bring a sailing vessel around onto a new tack or course.
"The captain ordered the crew to fetch about before they hit the reef."
fetch about
C1 formal intransitive
A nautical term meaning to turn a ship around or bring it onto a new course.
In plain English
To turn a boat around so it is going in a different direction.
What does "fetch about" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To bring (fetch) a ship about (around to a new direction).
Actually means
To turn a boat around so it is going in a different direction.
Usage tip
Highly specialized nautical/maritime term. Rarely used outside of sailing or historical seafaring contexts. Not part of everyday modern English. ESL learners are unlikely to encounter this in general use.
Words that pair with "fetch about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
ship vessel bow course wind tack
How to conjugate "fetch about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
fetch about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fetches about
he/she/it
Past simple
fetched about
yesterday
Past participle
fetched about
have + pp
-ing form
fetching about
continuous
Hear "fetch about" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "fetch about" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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