stowaway
/ˈstoʊəˌweɪ/
noun
- A person who hides on a ship, airplane, or other vehicle in order to travel without paying or being detected.
- After a long journey across the ocean, the stowaway was handed over to the authorities at the port.
- The young stowaway was discovered hiding in the landing gear compartment of the airplane.
- The crew found a stowaway in the cargo hold just before the ship departed.
- A person or thing that is hidden or goes unnoticed in a group or situation, often causing surprise later.
- A small stowaway kitten was found in the back of the moving truck after the family arrived at their new home.
- In the box of donated clothes, there was a stowaway — a valuable antique watch.
- The virus acted like a stowaway, spreading silently through the population before anyone noticed.