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noun Common

Tory

TAW-ree
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Tory (noun) means a member or supporter of Britain's Conservative Party. Example: “The local Tory candidate lost the seat by a narrow margin.”

noun
1
A member or supporter of Britain's Conservative Party.
"The local Tory candidate lost the seat by a narrow margin."
2
Someone with politically conservative views, especially in the British tradition.
"His grandfather was a lifelong Tory, sceptical of any government spending."
adj
1
Relating to or belonging to the Conservative Party.
"The newspaper published a strongly Tory editorial."

How to use Tory

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA supporter of the British (or Canadian) Conservative Party, or more broadly, a political conservative.

When to use it

Mostly a UK and Canadian political term; capitalised when referring to the party itself.

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Word forms

Plural
Tories
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The local _____ candidate lost the seat by a narrow margin.

Etymology

From Irish tóraí, "pursuer" or "outlaw," originally used as an insult for Irish bandits before becoming, from the 1680s, the name of the British political faction that evolved into the Conservative Party.

Origin: Irish · First attested 1680

Class of 1680 Tory joined the language around 1680.
refugee trimmer
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Synonyms

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conservative right-winger traditionalist

Related words

blue liberal conservative progressive Victorian cautious bourgeois maverick

Rhymes for Tory

Cory gory dory Rory ivory glory story Amory theory memory priory savory
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Frequently asked questions

What does “Tory” mean?
The word “Tory” means a member or supporter of Britain's Conservative Party. In plain terms, a supporter of the British (or Canadian) Conservative Party, or more broadly, a political conservative.
How do you pronounce “Tory”?
“Tory” is pronounced TAW-ree (/ˈtoɹ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “Tory” in a sentence?
Here is “Tory” used in a sentence: “The local Tory candidate lost the seat by a narrow margin.”
What part of speech is “Tory”?
Depending on how it is used, “Tory” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “Tory” come from?
The word “Tory” dates back to around 1680 and comes from Irish. From Irish tóraí, "pursuer" or "outlaw," originally used as an insult for Irish bandits before becoming, from the 1680s, the name of the British political faction that evolved into the Conservative Party.
Is “Tory” a common word?
“Tory” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Tory” have?
“Tory” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member or supporter of Britain's Conservative Party.
What is the difference between a Tory and a Conservative?
In British politics the two terms are largely interchangeable, since a Tory is a member or supporter of the Conservative Party. Tory is the older, more informal nickname, while Conservative is the party's official name.
What is the difference between Tory and Labour?
Tory refers to Britain's Conservative Party, which sits on the center-right, while Labour is the main center-left party. They are the two largest and traditionally opposing forces in British politics.
Is Tory always capitalized?
When it names the Conservative Party or its supporters, Tory is written with a capital T as a proper noun. It stays capitalized in this political sense whether used as a noun or an adjective.
Is calling someone a Tory an insult?
The word is a neutral label for a Conservative supporter, but it can be used either proudly or as criticism depending on the speaker's own politics. Tone and context decide whether it sounds complimentary or disparaging.

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