ferry
FEHR-ee
/ˈfɛri/
A boat or ship for conveying passengers and goods, especially over a relatively short distance and as a regular service.
Typically implies a routine, scheduled, and relatively short water crossing connecting two land masses.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Old English 'ferian', meaning to carry, convey, or transport. It shares a common Germanic ancestor with the word 'fare' (as in passenger fare or wayfarer), all rooted in the idea of traveling.
Word relationships
- shuttle: A shuttle can be land or air-based, while a ferry is strictly water-based.
- boat: Boat is a generic term, whereas a ferry is a specific public transit vessel.
Commonly confused with
- fairy: A fairy is a mythical creature, while a ferry is a transport boat.
Word family
- ferrying (noun): The act of transporting people or goods over a short route.
Collocations
- car ferry
- passenger ferry
- ferry terminal
- catch a ferry
Example sentences
- "We took the morning ferry across the bay to avoid the heavy bridge traffic." Commuting by water
- "The ferry was large enough to carry both passengers and their cars to the island." Transporting vehicles
Memory hook
A ferry carries you across the water for a small fare. Ferry carries people across the water.
When not to use
Do not use for long-distance ocean travel or luxury pleasure trips.
Fun facts
- The Staten Island Ferry in New York City is one of the most famous ferries in the world, carrying over 22 million passengers annually for free.
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