quarry
9 synonyms and 0 antonyms for quarry, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A large open pit where stone, sand, or similar material is dug out of the ground.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use quarry
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
The stone-pit sense traces to Latin quadrare, "to square" (referring to squared-off blocks of stone); the hunted-animal sense comes from a separate Old French word for the parts of a kill fed to hunting dogs.
Full origin of quarry →Frequently asked questions
What does “quarry” mean?
The word “quarry” means a large open pit where stone, sand, or similar material is dug out of the ground. In plain terms, either a stone-digging pit, or prey being chased — context makes clear which.
How do you pronounce “quarry”?
“Quarry” is pronounced KWOR-ee (/ˈk(w)ɔɹ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “quarry” in a sentence?
Here is “quarry” used in a sentence: “The old quarry is now filled with water and used for swimming.”
What is another word for “quarry”?
Words with a similar meaning to “quarry” include mark, prey and target.
What part of speech is “quarry”?
Depending on how it is used, “quarry” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “quarry” come from?
The word “quarry” comes from Latin. The stone-pit sense traces to Latin quadrare, "to square" (referring to squared-off blocks of stone); the hunted-animal sense comes from a separate Old French word for the parts of a kill fed to hunting dogs.
Is “quarry” a common word?
“Quarry” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “quarry” have?
“Quarry” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large open pit where stone, sand, or similar material is dug out of the ground.
What is the difference between a quarry and a mine?
A quarry is an open pit dug into the ground to extract materials like stone or sand, while a mine typically involves tunnels dug underground to extract minerals, ores, or coal. Quarrying is generally surface-level work, whereas mining often goes below the surface.
Why does quarry also mean a hunted animal or person?
This sense of quarry comes from hunting, where it describes the animal or person being pursued or tracked. It is a separate meaning from the excavation site, though both uses share the idea of something being extracted or pursued with effort.
Can quarry be used as a verb?
Yes, quarry can be used as a verb meaning to dig stone or other material out of the ground, as in 'the company quarries granite from this site.'