transfer

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To move a person, thing, money, file, or responsibility from one place, person, or system to another.

   Grammar: Takes an object: transfer the file. Use from for the origin and to for the destination.

   Patterns

   • transfer something from A to B
   • transfer money or files
   • transfer responsibility to someone

   Please transfer the photos from your phone to the laptop.

   The bank can transfer money between accounts in minutes.

   Management transferred responsibility for safety to the new supervisor.

2. 2verbintransitive

   To change from one vehicle, service, route, or system to another during a journey or process.

   Grammar: No direct object; commonly followed by to or at: transfer to the metro.

   Patterns

   • transfer to another flight
   • transfer at a station
   • transfer between lines

   We transferred to a local bus at the edge of town.

   Passengers transfer between subway lines without leaving the station.

   After two years at a community college, she transferred to a university.

3. 3nouncountable or uncountablefinancesport

   An act or process of moving, or being moved, from one place, holder, or system to another.

   Grammar: As a noun the stress is usually on the first syllable; use a transfer for one instance.

   Patterns

   • a transfer of funds
   • player transfer
   • data transfer

   The transfer of funds took less than a day.

   His transfer to the club was announced on Tuesday.

   Slow data transfer made the video call freeze.

Word forms

Common combinations

transfer from A to B

The files were transferred from an old server to a new one.

transfer money

You can transfer money using the bank's app.

transfer to another flight

We had to transfer to another flight in Chicago.

heat transfer

The lesson explained heat transfer through metal.

Synonyms and how they differ

move

General and common; transfer suggests a planned change from one place, person, or system to another.

shift

Often a change in position, time, or emphasis; transfer is clearer for handing over control or location.

relocate

Best for moving a home, office, or business; transfer is broader.

transmit

Means send signals, data, or disease; transfer fits moving files, money, or people into new hands.

Opposites

Word family

transferable adjective

Able to be moved or given to another person.

transference noun

Formal or psychological transfer, especially of feelings.

Commonly confused: transfer or transit? transfer or transmit?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “transfer”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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