at sea

sea n.

the salt waters that cover the greater part of the earth's surface;
ocean: [countable]the seven seas.[uncountable]The early settlers traveled great distances by sea.
a division of these waters, marked off by land boundaries:[countable;usually: the + ~]The Dead Sea is between Israel and Jordan.
a large wave:[countable]The heavy seas almost drowned us.
an overwhelming amount:[countable]a sea of faces.

adj. [before a noun]

Idioms

Idioms at sea:

sea n.

the salt waters that cover the greater part of the earth's surface.
a division of these waters, of considerable extent, more or less definitely marked off by land boundaries:the North Sea.
one of the seven seas;
ocean.
a large lake or landlocked body of water.
the degree or amount of turbulence of the ocean or other body of water, as caused by the wind.
the waves.
a large wave:The heavy seas almost drowned us.
a widely extended, copious, or overwhelming quantity:a sea of faces; a sea of troubles.
the work, travel, and shipboard life of a sailor:The sea is a hard life but a rewarding one.
Astronomymare³.
Idioms at sea:
- on the ocean.
- perplexed;
  uncertain:completely at sea as to how to answer the question.Also, asea.
Idioms follow the sea, to pursue a nautical career:Many boys then dreamed of following the sea.
Idioms go to sea:
- to set out on a voyage.
- to embark on a nautical career.
Idioms half seas over, [Slang.]partly or completely drunk:They came home at dawn, looking half seas over.Also, half-seas over.
Idioms put to sea, to embark on a sea voyage:The expedition is nearly ready to put to sea.Also, put out to sea.

adj.

bef. 900; Middle English see, Old English sǣ; cognate with Dutch zee, German See, Old Norse sær sea, Gothic saiws marsh

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sea /siː/ n

the sea ⇒
- the mass of salt water on the earth's surface as differentiated from the land
- (as modifier): sea air
(capital when part of place name)
- one of the smaller areas of ocean: the Irish Sea
- a large inland area of water: the Caspian Sea
turbulence or swell, esp of considerable size: heavy seas
(capital when part of a name) any of many huge dry plains on the surface of the moon See also mare²
anything resembling the sea in size or apparent limitlessness
at sea ⇒
- on the ocean
- in a state of confusion
go to sea ⇒ to become a sailor
put to sea, put out to sea ⇒ to embark on a sea voyage

Etymology: Old English sǣ; related to Old Norse sǣr, Old Frisian sē, Gothic saiws, Old High German sēo

'at sea' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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