noun
dory
DAW-ree
Dory (noun) means a small, narrow boat with a flat bottom and pointed ends, traditionally used for fishing. Example: “The fishermen rowed their dory out past the harbor wall at dawn.”
noun
1
A small, narrow boat with a flat bottom and pointed ends, traditionally used for fishing.
"The fishermen rowed their dory out past the harbor wall at dawn."
2
Any of several flat-bodied, large-eyed marine fish.
"John Dory is a popular fish on French menus."
How to use dory
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually a small fishing boat, or (as "John Dory") a type of edible sea fish.
Common pairings
fishing dory
John Dory
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Word forms
- Plural
- dories, dorata
- Comparative
- more dory
- Superlative
- most dory
Fill the gap
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The fishermen rowed their _____ out past the harbor wall at dawn.
Etymology
Recorded in American English from 1709, possibly borrowed from an indigenous Central American or Caribbean language.
Class of 1709
dory joined the language around 1709.
See the full Class of 1709 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for dory
See all rhymes for dory →Frequently asked questions
What does “dory” mean?
The word “dory” means a small, narrow boat with a flat bottom and pointed ends, traditionally used for fishing. In plain terms, usually a small fishing boat, or (as "John Dory") a type of edible sea fish.
How do you pronounce “dory”?
“Dory” is pronounced DAW-ree (/ˈdɔːɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “dory” in a sentence?
Here is “dory” used in a sentence: “The fishermen rowed their dory out past the harbor wall at dawn.”
What part of speech is “dory”?
“Dory” is a noun.
Where does the word “dory” come from?
The word “dory” dates back to around 1709. Recorded in American English from 1709, possibly borrowed from an indigenous Central American or Caribbean language.
How many meanings does “dory” have?
“Dory” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, narrow boat with a flat bottom and pointed ends, traditionally used for fishing.
