Definition

A person who engages in piracy, particularly one who attacked Spanish ships in the Caribbean during the 17th century.

Example

The buccaneer sailed the seas in search of treasure and adventure.

Conversation

Did you hear about that new movie about a buccaneer?

Yeah, I saw the trailer! It looks really exciting.

I love stories about pirates and adventure, especially about buccaneers.

Same here! They always have such wild tales to tell.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Buccaneer** → The word 'buccaneer' originates from the French word *boucanier*, which referred to a person who cooked meat on a wooden frame (a boucan). This term is derived from the Tupi word *bocan*, meaning a wooden frame for cooking. The term evolved to describe pirates who operated in the Caribbean during the 17th century, particularly those who raided Spanish settlements.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person cooking meat on a wooden frame ('boucan') — this helps you remember that a buccaneer was originally a cook and later became known as a pirate.

Visually Confused Words