Headsails are an essential component of a sailing ship that helps it move forward. These sails can be referred to by several other terms depending on their size, shape, and location on the ship. Some common synonyms of the word headsails include jibs, yankees, foresails, staysails, and genoas. Jibs are typically smaller sails located at the front of the boat, while yankees are larger headsails that cover the foredeck. Foresails, on the other hand, refer to all the sails located forward of the mast. Staysails are smaller sails that are affixed to the stays, while genoas are larger sails that extend from the mast to the bow.