ferry Hear it!

ferry Definition

ferry (fer′ē)

transitive verb -·ried, -·ry·ing

  1. to take (people, cars, etc.) across a river or narrow body of water in a boat, raft, etc.
  2. to cross (a river, etc.) on a ferry
  3. to deliver (airplanes) by flying to the destination
  4. to transport by airplane

Etymology: ME ferien < OE ferian, to carry, convey, esp. by water, caus. of faran, to go: see fare

intransitive verb

to cross a river, etc. by ferry

noun pl. -·ries

  1. a system for carrying people, cars, or goods across a river, etc. by boat
  2. a boat used for this
  3. the place where a ferry docks on either shore
  4. the legal right to transport by ferry for a fee
  5. the delivery of airplanes to their destination by flying them

ferry Synonyms

ferry

n.

passage boat, barge, packet, ferryboat; see boat, ship.

ferry Synonyms

ferry

v.

carry over, transport, ship, shuttle; see carry 1, cross 1.

ferry Usage Examples

Converse of object

catch: Portsmouth DAY TWO - SUNDAY Early rising, in time to catch the fast ferry from Portsmouth to Caen.

Preposition: across

estuary: There is a ferry across the estuary to Rock, a haven for sailing and water skiing.

Adjective modifier

  • overnight: Normandy: Starting with an overnight ferry Friday night we arrive in Normandy Saturday morning.
  • high-speed: By the time I was on the high-speed ferry to Southampton, I had a rather distressing vision problem.
  • fast: Portsmouth DAY TWO - SUNDAY Early rising, in time to catch the fast ferry from Portsmouth to Caen.
  • Irish: This is the 11th successive year in which Irish Ferries have taken part in the Festival parade.

Modifies a noun

  • crossing: There are also frequent ferry crossings from the UK to France from various ports on the south coast of England.
  • terminal: Upon reaching the ferry terminal turn left onto High Street.
  • port: We are only three minutes by car from the Holyhead ferry port or train station.
  • operator: Minimum check in time for each ferry operator is 30 minutes.
  • fare: There was a small problem, however, how to raise the money for the ferry boat fare.
  • landing: For the next seven years Willie waited faithfully at the ferry landing for his owner to return.

Followed by an intransitive particle

across: Queensferry is where the good Queen Margaret was wont to have herself ferried across on her way to and from Dunfermline.

Preposition: from

mainland: It is now a thriving holiday area connected by ferry from the mainland.

Noun used with modifier

  • cross-channel: Meet your Contiki crew as we drive to the White Cliffs of Dover for our cross-Channel ferry to France.
  • ro-ro: Orkney Islands Council convener, Hugh Halcro-Johnston, performed the metal cutting ceremony on the 125-metre ro-ro ferry Hrossey.
  • inter-island: From here, we will join an inter-island ferry to Wellington - New Zealand's capital city.
  • lifeline: The livestock contract has now been included as part of the lifeline ferry services which are currently out to tender.
  • roll-off: Roll-on roll-off ferries appeared on the Irish routes well ahead of elsewhere in the UK.
  • roll-on: Roll-on roll-off ferries appeared on the Irish routes well ahead of elsewhere in the UK.