verb
ply
pleye
Ply (verb) means to work steadily at something, or use a tool with regular effort. Example: “The fisherman plied his trade along the coast for forty years.”
verb
1
To work steadily at something, or use a tool with regular effort.
"The fisherman plied his trade along the coast for forty years."
"She plied her needle skilfully as she mended the shirt."
2
To keep offering someone something persistently.
"They plied the guests with food and wine all evening."
3
To travel regularly along a particular route.
"The ferry plies between the island and the mainland daily."
noun
1
A single layer or strand, as in wood, rope, or yarn.
"The tissue was made of three-ply paper."
How to use ply
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo work at something steadily, to travel a set route repeatedly, to keep offering something, or (as a noun) a layer or strand.
Common pairings
ply a trade
ply someone with drinks
ply between
three-ply
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- plies
- Past tense
- plied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tissue was made of three-_____ paper.
Etymology
From Middle English "plien", ultimately from Latin "plicāre" (to fold) — the same root as "apply" and "reply".
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “ply” mean?
The word “ply” means to work steadily at something, or use a tool with regular effort. In plain terms, to work at something steadily, to travel a set route repeatedly, to keep offering something, or (as a noun) a layer or strand.
How do you pronounce “ply”?
“Ply” is pronounced pleye (/plaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ply” in a sentence?
Here is “ply” used in a sentence: “The tissue was made of three-ply paper.”
What part of speech is “ply”?
Depending on how it is used, “ply” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “ply” come from?
The word “ply” comes from Latin. From Middle English "plien", ultimately from Latin "plicāre" (to fold) — the same root as "apply" and "reply".
How many meanings does “ply” have?
“Ply” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to work steadily at something, or use a tool with regular effort.
