Quick answer: Gunwale and gunnel are the same word for the upper edge of a boat’s side. Gunwale is the standard spelling, and gunnel is a less common spelling that matches how sailors say it. Both are pronounced “GUN-ul,” and the “w” in gunwale is silent.
Gunwale vs Gunnel Quiz: Test Yourself
Gunwale vs gunnel is one of the most common spelling puzzles in boating. You read “gunwale” on a boat plan, then hear “gunnel” on the dock, and the two do not look related. They are the same word, written two ways. This guide explains where each spelling comes from, which one to use and how to say it.
| Term | Meaning | Part of speech / Category | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| gunwale | The upper edge of a boat’s or ship’s side | Noun, nautical, standard spelling | He rested his elbow on the gunwale and watched the shore. |
| gunnel | Same as gunwale (less common spelling) | Noun, nautical, variant spelling | She clipped the fender to the gunnel. |
| gunnel (fish) | A small, slimy, eel-like fish of the North Atlantic | Noun, a different word with the same spelling | The gunnel hid under a rock at low tide. |
What does gunwale mean?
Gunwale means the upper edge of the side of a boat or ship. It is the top rail that runs along the hull, the place you lean on, clip a fender to or mount a rod holder on.
The word is much older than modern boating. Dictionary.com traces it to Middle English, around 1325 to 1375, and builds it from “gun” and “wale.” A wale is a plank or ridge along a ship’s side, and this one was named because guns were set upon it. That origin also explains the odd spelling: the word is written as two parts but spoken as one.
What does gunnel mean?
Gunnel means exactly the same thing as gunwale: the upper edge of a boat’s side. Merriam-Webster lists it as a less common spelling of gunwale, so you can treat it as a variant, not a different word.
Gunnel looks the way the word sounds, which is why it shows up so often in casual writing, boat forums and dock talk. In a magazine, a manual or a boat-building plan, you will usually see gunwale instead.
How do you pronounce gunwale?
Gunwale is pronounced “GUN-ul,” exactly like gunnel. Dictionary.com gives the American pronunciation as “guhn-l,” and the British one as “GUN-uhl.” The “w” is silent and the “wale” ending is shortened to a quick “ul.”
Many people see the word in print first and say “gun-wail.” That is the most common mistake, and it can mark you as new to boating. If you say “gunnel” out loud, you will sound right whichever spelling you write.
Is gunnel a real word?
Yes, gunnel is a real word, and it has two meanings. The first is the boating sense above, a variant spelling of gunwale. The second is a small, slimy, eel-like fish of the North Atlantic, which Merriam-Webster dates to 1740 and lists as having an unknown origin.
The fish and the boat part share a spelling and a sound, but they are unrelated words. Context makes the meaning clear. A sentence about hulls, oars or fenders is about the rail, and a sentence about tide pools or the sea floor is about the fish.
Gunwale vs gunnel: which spelling should you use?
Use gunwale in formal and technical writing, and use gunnel when you want to match everyday speech. Because the two are the same word, neither choice is wrong. Here is a simple guide:
- Use gunwale in articles, manuals, boat reviews, product listings, school work and anything an editor will read.
- Use gunnel in casual posts, dialogue, captions and boat talk where you want it to look as it sounds.
- Stay consistent. Pick one spelling for a piece of writing and keep it throughout.
If you are unsure, gunwale is the safer choice because it is the standard form listed first in dictionaries.
How can you remember which one to use?
Link the spelling to the setting: gunwale for the page, gunnel for the dock. The memory tricks below give you a few more hooks to keep the two straight.
Common gunwale vs gunnel mistakes
- She sat on the gunwhale. She sat on the gunwale.
- Please keep your hands inside the gun wale. Please keep your hands inside the gunwale.
- The crew said “gun-wail” at the dock. The crew said “gunnel” at the dock.
- He grabbed the gunnle and pulled himself up. He grabbed the gunnel and pulled himself up.
- The paddler rested the blade on the gunnell. The paddler rested the blade on the gunnel.
Memory tricks for gunwale vs gunnel
- Say it, then spell it: if you say “gunnel,” you are already saying the word correctly. Gunwale is simply the longer spelling of that sound.
- Remember the gun: the first half comes from the guns that were once set on that plank, which also explains the “gun” at the start of both spellings.
- Silent w: think “wale” as a plank along the hull, then drop the “w” sound when you speak.
Frequently asked questions
Is gunnel the same as gunwale?
Yes. Gunnel is a less common spelling of gunwale, and both mean the upper edge of a boat’s side.
How do you pronounce gunwale?
Say “GUN-ul.” The “w” is silent, so gunwale and gunnel sound identical.
Which spelling is correct, gunwale or gunnel?
Both are correct. Gunwale is the standard spelling and is better for formal writing, while gunnel is an accepted variant.
What is the gunwale on a boat?
It is the top edge of the boat’s side, the rail that runs along the hull. People lean on it, attach fenders to it and mount fittings on it.
Is a gunnel also a fish?
Yes. A gunnel is also a small, slimy, eel-like fish found in the North Atlantic, and it is an unrelated word that happens to be spelled the same way.
Conclusion
Gunwale vs gunnel is a question of spelling, not meaning. Gunwale is the standard form and gunnel is the variant that matches the sound, and both are pronounced “GUN-ul.” Pick one, keep it consistent, and share this with someone who mixes these up.