Words & Vocabulary

Ferry: Meaning, Synonyms, & How to Use It

By Team ABJ

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ferry meaning, synonyms, and examples

A ferry is a type of boat or ship used to carry people, vehicles, or goods across a body of water, such as a river or a sea. It operates on a regular route, shuttling passengers and cargo back and forth between two fixed points, typically between ports or designated terminals. Ferries come in various sizes and shapes and provide a convenient way for transportation without having to travel long distances around the water body. Passengers and vehicles drive onto the ferry at one terminal, the ferry then crosses the water, and they drive off at the other terminal. Ferries are commonly used for transportation between islands, across rivers, or between coastal areas.

Table of contents:

Meaning and definition of ‘ferry’

The word “ferry” can have a few meanings and definitions:

1. Noun: A vessel, boat, or ship used to transport passengers, vehicles, or goods across a body of water on a regular route.

2. Verb (Action):

  • To transport people, vehicles, or goods across a body of water by boat or ferry.
  • To move or convey someone or something from one place to another, especially regularly or frequently.

The term “ferry” can refer to both the transportation vehicle itself (the boat or ship) and the action of transporting people or things across water.

Ferry in different contexts

The term “ferry” can be used in various contexts, indicating different meanings or applications:

1. Transportation: Refers to a vessel used to carry passengers, vehicles, or goods across a body of water. It could be a public transportation service, like a ferryboat traveling between two ports, or a privately owned boat used to transport people or cargo.

Also, describes the action of moving people, vehicles, or goods across a body of water using a boat or ferry. For instance, “The ferry will ferry cars and passengers across the river.”

2. Air Travel: In aviation, “ferry” can refer to the process of flying an aircraft from one location to another without passengers or cargo, often for maintenance, delivery, or relocation purposes.

3. Metaphorical Use: “Ferry” might be used metaphorically to describe the act of carrying or transporting something from one place to another, even if not involving a body of water. For example, “The trucks ferried supplies to the disaster-stricken area.”

4. Internet Technology: In the context of computer science or networking, “ferrying” data can refer to the process of transmitting or sending information between different systems or components.

5. Fairy Tales or Mythology: The word “ferry” might also be used in literature, particularly in fairy tales or stories, to describe a magical or mythical boat or entity that transports characters across mystical or supernatural bodies of water.

Other forms of ‘ferry’

The word “ferry” can take on various forms, including different tenses, parts of speech, and derivations. Here are some of the other forms of “ferry”:

1. Ferries (Plural Noun): This form indicates more than one ferry, referring to multiple vessels used for transporting people or goods across water.

  • Example: “Several ferries operate between the mainland and the islands.”

2. Ferrying (Present Participle/Verb Form): This is the present participle or gerund form of the verb “ferry,” indicating the ongoing or continuous action of transporting people or things across water.

  • Example: “They are ferrying supplies across the river to the construction site.”

3. Ferried (Past Tense/Verb Form): This is the past tense form of the verb “ferry,” indicating that transportation across the water has already occurred in the past.

  • Example: “The boat ferried tourists to the nearby island yesterday.”

4. Ferrywoman (Noun): Refers to a person who operates a ferry, responsible for transporting passengers or cargo across the water.

  • Example: “The ferryman guided the boat safely across the river.”

5. Ferry Terminal (Noun Phrase): Denotes the point of departure or arrival for ferries, where passengers board or disembark.

  • Example: “The ferry terminal was bustling with travelers waiting to board.”

6. Ferry Route (Noun Phrase): Indicates the established path or course regularly followed by ferries between specific locations.

  • Example: “The ferry route connects the two islands and operates several times a day.”

7. Ferry Service (Noun Phrase): Refers to the overall provision of transportation by ferry between designated points.

  • Example: “The ferry service is essential for commuting between the coastal towns.”

8. Unferryable (Adjective): Describes something that cannot be transported by a ferry due to size, weight, or impracticality.

  • Example: “The cargo was unferryable, so an alternative transport method was used.”

How to pronounce ferry?

The word “ferry” is pronounced as “FAIR-ee.” Here’s a phonetic breakdown to help with pronunciation:

  • FAIR: Rhymes with “hair” or “stair.”
  • ee: Sounds like the letter “e” pronounced as in the word “see.”

When saying “ferry,” emphasize the first syllable “FAIR” and end with a short “ee” sound.

Synonyms and Antonyms of ferry

Here’s a list of synonyms and antonyms for the word “ferry”:

Synonyms: transporter, shuttle, boat, vessel, ferryboat, ship, barge, crossing, watercraft, transfer, packet, carry, chauffeur, lug, send, tote, transport, bear, buck, convey, pack, run

Antonyms: fixed, landlocked, stationary, immobile, inaccessible, unreachable, static, non-transport, non-traversal, non-conveyance, hold, keep, maintain

Examples of ‘ferry’ in sentences

1. The ferry will depart for the island at 9 a.m.

  • “Ferry” is used here as a noun referring to a transportation service or vessel that will leave at a specific time to transport people or goods to an island.

2. We took the ferry across the river to reach the other side.

  • Here, “ferry” is used as a noun representing the means of transportation—a boat or vessel—that was used to cross the river.

3. The ferry service operates hourly between the two coastal towns.

  • “Ferry” is used as a noun describing a regular transportation service that runs hourly between two towns located near the coast.

4. They decided to use a ferry to transport their car across the lake.

  • “Ferry” is used as a noun indicating a means of transporting a vehicle across the lake by boat or vessel.

5. The ferryman skillfully navigated the ferry through the rough waters.

  • “Ferry” is used as a noun representing the boat or vessel, and “ferryman” refers to the person operating it. It depicts someone maneuvering a boat through difficult waters.

6. Passengers boarded the ferry and enjoyed the scenic views during the voyage.

  • “Ferry” is used as a noun indicating the vessel boarded by passengers, and “voyage” refers to the journey or travel by the ferry.

7. Due to the storm, the ferry schedule was disrupted yesterday.

“Ferry” is used as a noun referring to the transportation service, and “schedule” denotes the timetable or planned departure times.

8. The ferry terminal was crowded with travelers eager to embark on their journey.

  • “Ferry” is used as a noun describing the transportation terminal or point where passengers start their journey.

9. The company added a new ferry route to connect the remote islands.

  • “Ferry” is used as a noun representing the transportation service or path between two locations, in this case, connecting remote islands.

10. The cargo ship serves as a ferry for transporting goods between ports.

  • Here, “ferry” is used as a noun describing a cargo ship that acts as a means of transporting goods between different ports or locations.

Examples of Ferry in Quotes

1. “A crowded ferry ride away from Tanzania’s coastal city, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar is a marvel for the senses. Every sight and smell is provocative, inspiring a sense of the old and new.” – Jodi Balfour

  • Here, “ferry” refers to the mode of transportation connecting Tanzania’s coastal city, Dar es Salaam, to Zanzibar. The word describes the boat or vessel used for the journey across the water, highlighting the experience of a crowded ferry ride as a means of reaching Zanzibar.

2. “I live by the sea, but the body of water I have the most feeling about is the Mississippi River, where I used to row and skate, ride on the ferry in childhood, watch the logs or just dream.” – Susan Glaspell

  • In this quote, “ferry” refers to a mode of transportation on the Mississippi River during the writer’s childhood. It represents the boat or vessel used to transport people across the river, evoking nostalgic memories of childhood experiences related to the ferry rides.

3. “I live on an island, and my community is served by a ferry that goes three times a day.” – Chellie Pingree

  • Here, “ferry” describes the transportation service connecting the island where the speaker lives to the mainland. It signifies the boat or vessel used to transport residents across the water, emphasizing the importance of the ferry service in the daily lives of the community.

4. “I would not want to be on a cruise ship. Some ferry crossings I’m not too thrilled about.” – Jennifer Connelly

  • In this quote, “ferry” is used broadly, expressing the speaker’s preferences regarding water travel. It suggests a lack of enthusiasm or discomfort about certain ferry journeys, indicating a dislike for specific types of ferry crossings and also mentioning a general aversion to cruise ships.

Related words and phrases to ‘ferry’

Related terms and phrases to “ferry” revolve around modes of transportation, water travel, and specific elements associated with ferry services. Here are some related terms and phrases:

1. Watercraft: It encompasses a broader category of vessels used on water, which includes ferries along with boats, ships, and other floating crafts.

2. Maritime Transport: Refers to transportation by water, covering ferries as well as cargo ships, tankers, and passenger liners.

3. Crossing: Describes the act of moving from one side of a body of water to another, often facilitated by a ferry.

4. Ferry Terminal: The point of embarkation or disembarkation for ferry passengers and vehicles.

5. Ferry Route: The established path or course taken by a ferry between specific locations.

6. Ferryman/Ferrywoman: The person responsible for operating or piloting the ferry.

7. Shuttle Service: While broader, it can relate to ferry services as both involve regular trips between fixed points.

8. Port: Refers to a specific place where ships, including ferries, can dock to load or unload passengers and cargo.

9. Island Hopping: The practice of traveling between different islands, often accomplished by ferries in archipelagos or coastal regions.

10. Waterway: A navigable route of travel on water, which might be used by ferries to navigate between points.

Rhyming words with ferry

  • Berry
  • Cherry
  • Dairy
  • Merry
  • Scary
  • Sherry
  • Very
  • Contrary
  • Canary
  • Hairy

These words share a similar ending sound (-erry) and can be used in rhymes or poetry 

How can you use ‘ferry’ in spoken English?

Here are some tips on how to use the word “ferry” in spoken English:

1. Identify the Context: Use “ferry” when talking about transporting people, vehicles, or goods across a body of water. It’s often used in the context of boats or ships carrying passengers or cargo from one place to another.

  • Example: “We took the ferry to the island for our vacation.”

2. Be Clear and Descriptive: When using “ferry,” be clear about what is being transported and where. Specify whether it’s people, cars, trucks, or other items moving across a river, lake, or sea.

  • Example: “The ferry transports both passengers and cars across the river.”

3. Use it as a Verb or Noun: “Ferry” can be used as both a verb (action) and a noun (person, place, or thing). Pay attention to how you’re using it in your sentence.

  • As a verb: “We will ferry supplies across the lake tomorrow.”
  • As a noun: “The ferry arrives at the dock every hour.”

4. Describe the Journey or Service: When discussing the ferry, you can talk about the route, schedule, terminal, or the experience of traveling on the ferry.

  • Example: “The ferry route connects the two coastal cities.”
  • Example: “The ferry terminal was busy with travelers.”

5. Use in Everyday Conversations: Incorporate “ferry” into your daily conversations when discussing travel, vacations, or transportation by water.

  • Example: “Have you ever taken the ferry to the nearby island?”

Explore more:

Sources:

Anchor: Meaning, Synonyms, & How to Pronounce It

Ray of Hope: Meaning, Synonyms, & How to Use It

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