Ply Meaning in English
word
Definition
'Ply' can mean a layer of material (like in 'plywood'), to work steadily at a job or trade, or to travel regularly along a route, especially by vehicle or boat.
Usage & Nuances
'Ply' is formal or technical when used about material layers. As a verb, it's found in formal writing or older English. Key phrases: 'two-ply tissue', 'ply one's trade', 'buses ply this route.' Not common in everyday speech except for material use.
Example Sentences
Local buses ply this road every hour.
basic
Street vendors ply their trade at the market every weekend.
natural
The ferry plies between the two islands several times a day.
natural
This fabric is made from eight-ply yarn, so it’s really strong.
natural
He bought two-ply toilet paper because it is thicker.
basic
The carpenter used a three-ply board for the shelf.
basic