Meaning & use
quay
Last updated
UK/kiː/
US/kiː/
Meaning
nouncountable
A solid landing place along the edge of a harbor or river where ships tie up and are loaded or unloaded.
Grammar: Used with on or at: we waited on the quay.
Patterns
- on the quay
- at the quay
- along the quay
Fishermen unloaded their catch on the quay at dawn.
We strolled along the quay and watched the ferries.
The ship docked at the quay just after noon.
Word forms
| plural | quays |
|---|
Common combinations
- on the quay
- Crates were stacked on the quay waiting to be shipped.
- alongside the quay
- The boat tied up alongside the quay.
- walk along the quay
- We walked along the quay after dinner.
- a stone quay
- A stone quay curved around the harbor.
- a busy quay
- The market filled a busy quay every Saturday.
Synonyms and how they differ
- wharf
- Wharf is often a structure built out on piles, while a quay usually runs parallel to the shore in solid masonry.
- dock
- Dock can mean the water area between piers or the whole port, while quay is just the platform.
- pier
- A pier juts out into the water, whereas a quay lies along the shoreline.
- jetty
- A jetty is a smaller structure that sticks out to protect a harbor or help boats land.
Word family
Commonly confused: quay or key? quay or cay?
quay vs key
Key sounds the same as quay but means a metal tool for locks or an important element.
quay vs cay
A cay is a small low island, also pronounced like key.
Practice
How is quay pronounced?
Choose one answer.
Quay is pronounced like key. The spelling suggests a w sound, but the word has none.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “quay”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.