Noun and verb Travel or a deliberate metaphor; not a personality trait
VoyageMeaning, examples and usage
A voyage is a journey, especially by sea or through space. As a verb, voyage means to travel on such a journey.
Say it: VOY-ij · stress the first syllable
How to use voyage
Use voyage when the travel itself is important: the departure, route or time spent away. “A voyage across the bay” gives a different picture from a quick trip to the shops. A voyage of discovery can also be a metaphor for learning, but discovery and personal growth are not guaranteed parts of every voyage.
Example sentences
Illustrative examples written for this guide.
A journey by sea
“The crew checked the supplies before the voyage to the island.”
Voyage is a noun naming the journey.
Used as a verb
“They voyaged along the coast, stopping at small harbors to sketch.”
Voyaged describes their travel. It has a more literary feel than traveled.
A figurative journey
“Learning to cook became a voyage of discovery through her family’s recipes.”
The rest of the sentence gives the metaphor a concrete subject.
Similar words, different emphasis
- Journey
- The broader choice for travel, including travel over land, and for a process that unfolds over time.
- Trip
- An everyday word for going somewhere, often with a particular purpose or return in mind.
- Expedition
- Emphasizes an organized journey with a purpose, such as research or exploration.
What does voyage of discovery mean?
Literally, it is travel undertaken to discover or explore something. Figuratively, it can describe a period of learning. Name what was discovered: “The interviews became a voyage of discovery into the town’s history.” Without that detail, the phrase can sound impressive while telling the reader very little.
References and editorial note
The linked dictionary entries support the word meanings. The example sentences and writing suggestions are Ikigain’s own. This is a language guide, not a personality assessment.