verb
Very common
harry
HA-ree
Harry (verb) means to repeatedly bother, pressure, or harass someone. Example: “Reporters harried the celebrity outside her hotel for hours.”
verb
1
To repeatedly bother, pressure, or harass someone.
"Reporters harried the celebrity outside her hotel for hours."
"Debt collectors kept harrying him with phone calls."
"The little boy harried his parents all morning until they finally agreed to buy him a puppy."
2
To make repeated raids or attacks on an enemy.
"Guerrilla fighters harried the retreating army for days."
"Small boats harried the enemy ships each night, then slipped away before dawn."
"Raiders harried the border villages for years before the king sent soldiers."
How to use harry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo pester someone relentlessly, or to launch repeated small attacks on an enemy.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the verb "harry" with the common given name Harry — context makes it obvious, but the verb is fairly formal/literary.
Common pairings
harry the enemy
harried by reporters
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Word forms
- Plural
- harries
- Third person singular
- harries
- Past tense
- harried
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Debt collectors kept _____ him with phone calls.
Etymology
From Old English herġian, "to ravage or raid," ultimately from a Germanic word for "army."
Related words
Rhymes for harry
See all rhymes for harry →Frequently asked questions
What does “harry” mean?
The word “harry” means to repeatedly bother, pressure, or harass someone. In plain terms, to pester someone relentlessly, or to launch repeated small attacks on an enemy.
How do you pronounce “harry”?
“Harry” is pronounced HA-ree (/ˈhæɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “harry” in a sentence?
Here is “harry” used in a sentence: “Debt collectors kept harrying him with phone calls.”
What part of speech is “harry”?
“Harry” is a verb.
Where does the word “harry” come from?
The word “harry” comes from Old English. From Old English herġian, "to ravage or raid," ultimately from a Germanic word for "army.".
Is “harry” a common word?
“Harry” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “harry” have?
“Harry” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to repeatedly bother, pressure, or harass someone.
What does "harry" mean as a verb?
To harry someone is to bother, pressure, or harass them repeatedly, giving them no peace. It suggests a persistent, wearing campaign rather than a one-off annoyance — a reporter might harry a politician for answers. Historically it also meant to raid and lay waste to land, which is where the sense of relentless pressure comes from.
What is the difference between harry and harass?
The two are close synonyms, both meaning to trouble someone persistently. "Harass" is the more common, everyday word and covers a wide range of unwanted pressure. "Harry" is a little more literary and stresses relentless, repeated pursuit, as if chasing or wearing someone down over time. In most sentences, harass is the safer choice.
How do you use "harry" in a sentence?
It usually takes an object — the person being pressured. For example, "Creditors harried him for months," or "Fans harried the star for autographs." It works well when you want to stress ongoing, wearing pressure rather than a single act, and it carries a slightly formal or literary tone.
Is the verb "harry" related to the name Harry?
No — they just share a spelling. The verb "harry," meaning to harass or pester, is an old word tied to raiding and warfare. The first name Harry is a friendly form of Henry. They are pronounced the same and look identical, but their meanings and origins are entirely separate.
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