ply meaning

UK /plaɪ/ US /plaɪ/ 1 syllable

ply (verb): give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance.

ply has 8 meanings in this dictionary, as verb and noun.

ply as a verb

  1. give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
    • The hostess provided lunch for all the guests

    Synonyms: provide, supply, cater

    Type of: give

    Kinds: staff, drench, regale, board, feed, serve, cater, pander, power, gratify, underlay, fit

  2. apply oneself diligently
    • Ply one's trade

    Type of: do

    Related forms: plier, plyer

  3. travel a route regularly
    • Ships ply the waters near the coast

    Synonyms: run

    Type of: travel

    Related forms: plier

  4. join together as by twisting, weaving, or molding
    • ply fabric

    Type of: join

  5. wield vigorously
    • ply an axe

    Type of: wield

  6. use diligently
    • ply your wits!

    Type of: use

ply as a noun

  1. one of the strands twisted together to make yarn or rope or thread; often used in combination
    • three-ply cord
    • four-ply yarn

    Type of: strand

  2. (usually in combinations) one of several layers of cloth or paper or wood as in plywood

    Type of: layer

How to pronounce ply

ply is pronounced /plaɪ/ in British English and /plaɪ/ in American English. It has 1 syllable.

Words that rhyme with ply

Scrabble score: 8 (letter breakdown)

Word lists: words starting with PL · words ending in LY · 3-letter words

More about ply on Wikipedia.