noun
Uncommon
firth
furth
Firth (noun) means a narrow inlet of the sea, especially in Scotland, or a river estuary. Example: “The ferry crossed the Firth of Forth on its way to Edinburgh.”
noun
1
A narrow inlet of the sea, especially in Scotland, or a river estuary.
"The ferry crossed the Firth of Forth on its way to Edinburgh."
"The descent continues, still more steeply to Dundee (Tay Bridge), and approaching from the bridge itself this sharp descent gives the curious appearance that the station is below the level of the firth."
— , The Aberdonian (1947)
"They drove on, every rise in the road lifting their sightline clear of the drystone dykes along the roadside, gifting glimpses of the firth and the islands, the blue peaks of Arran."
— Liam McIlvanney, The Heretic (2022)
How to use firth
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sea inlet or river mouth, mostly used in Scottish place names.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
Firth of Clyde
Firth of Forth
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Word forms
- Plural
- firths
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The ferry crossed the _____ of Forth on its way to Edinburgh.
Etymology
From Scots firth, related to Old Norse fjǫrðr; a doublet of the word fjord.
Rhymes for firth
See all rhymes for firth →Frequently asked questions
What does “firth” mean?
The word “firth” means a narrow inlet of the sea, especially in Scotland, or a river estuary. In plain terms, a sea inlet or river mouth, mostly used in Scottish place names.
How do you pronounce “firth”?
“Firth” is pronounced furth (/fɝθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “firth” in a sentence?
Here is “firth” used in a sentence: “The ferry crossed the Firth of Forth on its way to Edinburgh.”
What part of speech is “firth”?
“Firth” is a noun.
Where does the word “firth” come from?
The word “firth” comes from Old Norse. From Scots firth, related to Old Norse fjǫrðr; a doublet of the word fjord.
Is “firth” a common word?
“Firth” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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