ply

verb
UK: /plaɪ/
US: /plaɪ/

  1. To work steadily at something, especially if it is difficult.

    1. We need to ply him with food to keep him happy.
    2. The reporters plied the celebrity with questions about her new movie.

  2. To travel regularly over a route as a form of business or service.

    1. The ferry will ply between the islands daily.
    2. During the summer, boats ply along the coast, taking tourists to secluded beaches.

  3. To supply someone with something repeatedly in the hope of achieving a particular effect.

    1. They plied us with drinks until we felt sick.
    2. The waiter kept plying us with bread, hoping we'd order more wine.

Synonyms

layer thickness work exert supply offer
ply noun

  1. A layer or strand of something, such as wood or yarn.

    1. This rope is made of three ply.
    2. The plywood was constructed using a strong adhesive between each ply.

  2. Thickness or quality of a material.

    1. I need a two-ply paper towel for this mess.
    2. The extra ply in these tires makes them more resistant to punctures.
ply adjective

  1. Bent or shaped.

    1. The wood was ply to create a curved shape.
    2. The chairs had frames of ply wood to give it the bent curve design.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "ply" in English means: To work steadily at something, especially if it is difficult., To travel regularly over a route as a form of business or service., To supply someone with something repeatedly in the hope of achieving a particular effect..

The phonetic transcription of "ply" is /plaɪ/ in British English and /plaɪ/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "ply": layer, thickness, work, exert, supply, offer.

Example usage of "ply": "We need to ply him with food to keep him happy.". More examples on the page.