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
1
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- quays
- Third person singular
- quays
- Past tense
- quayed
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.
Rhymes for quay
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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