noun Uncommon

quay

kee

Quay (noun) means a stone or concrete platform built along water where boats load and unload. Example: “Fishermen unloaded their catch at the quay.”

noun

A stone or concrete platform built along water where boats load and unload.

"Fishermen unloaded their catch at the quay."

"They strolled along the quay watching the boats come in."

How to use quay

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA dock or wharf where ships tie up to load and unload.

Common mistake

Quay and key are pronounced the same in most dialects, which causes frequent spelling mix-ups.

Easily confused with

key →

Word forms

quayed past tense, quays plural, quays singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Fishermen unloaded their catch at the _____.

Etymology

From Middle English key, ultimately from a Gaulish word meaning "enclosure." The modern spelling was changed to match French quai.

Origin: French

Rhymes for quay

ay may day say ray hay lay pay jay way yay nay

See all rhymes for quay →

Frequently asked questions

What does “quay” mean?

The word “quay” means a stone or concrete platform built along water where boats load and unload. In plain terms, a dock or wharf where ships tie up to load and unload.

How do you pronounce “quay”?

“Quay” is pronounced kee (/kiː/ in IPA).

How do you use “quay” in a sentence?

Here is “quay” used in a sentence: “Fishermen unloaded their catch at the quay.”

What part of speech is “quay”?

“Quay” is a noun.

Where does the word “quay” come from?

The word “quay” comes from French. From Middle English key, ultimately from a Gaulish word meaning "enclosure." The modern spelling was changed to match French quai.

Is “quay” a common word?

“Quay” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Vocabulary lists that include quay:

Words that start with Q