ferries

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   Boats or ships that carry people, vehicles, or goods across a stretch of water on a regular route.

   Grammar: This is the plural of 'ferry'; for one boat, use 'a ferry'.

   Patterns

   • take a ferry
   • a ferry across something
   • a ferry to somewhere

   We took a ferry across the river to reach the old town.

   The island is served by two daily ferries from the mainland.

   During the storm, all ferries were canceled until the next morning.

2. 2verbtransitive

   Carries people or things back and forth between two places, usually over a short distance and often repeatedly.

   Grammar: Takes an object: ferry passengers, ferry supplies.

   Patterns

   • ferry someone/something between places
   • ferry someone/something to somewhere
   • ferry someone/something across something

   A small bus ferries visitors between the parking lot and the museum entrance.

   Volunteers ferried food and water to the families cut off by the flood.

   The company ferries its staff to the office from the nearest train station.

Word forms

Common combinations

ferry service

The ferry service between the two islands runs every hour.

ferry terminal

We waited at the ferry terminal until the weather improved.

take a ferry

It's cheaper to take a ferry than to fly.

ferry passengers

The boat ferries passengers across the bay all day.

car ferry

The car ferry can hold up to 200 vehicles.

Synonyms and how they differ

boat

A general word for any small vessel; a ferry is specifically one that runs a regular route carrying people or vehicles.

shuttle

Often used for a bus, train, or plane that makes frequent short trips; a ferry is usually a boat over water.

Word family

ferryman noun

A person who operates a ferry.

ferryboat noun

Another word for a ferry, especially a small one.

Commonly confused: ferries or fairy?

Practice

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