How Do You Spell PLY?

Pronunciation: [plˈa͡ɪ] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "ply" can be confusing due to its irregularity in the English language. It is pronounced as /plaɪ/ which is a combination of the /p/ and /l/ consonant sounds followed by the long /i/ vowel sound. The spelling of "ply" is derived from the Old French word "plier" which means 'to bend' or 'to fold'. Despite its unusual spelling, "ply" is commonly used in the nautical industry to refer to the number of layers in a rope or cable.

PLY Meaning and Definition

  1. Ply is a versatile verb encompassing various meanings and applications. It generally refers to the act of working with or using a particular tool, material, or skill in a repetitive manner.

    One common definition of ply relates to the act of folding or bending a material, like the ply of fabric or paper. It signifies the number of layers or thicknesses that a material has, typically when used to determine the durability or strength of a product. For instance, a four-ply cloth suggests that it consists of four layers of fabric.

    In another sense, ply relates to the act of using a tool or skill repeatedly to accomplish a task. For example, a woodworker may ply their trade by skillfully using different tools and techniques to carve detailed designs. Similarly, a fisherman will ply their trade by repeatedly casting and reeling in their fishing line to catch fish.

    Ply can also denote the act of traveling a certain route or operating on a specific route. This is usually used in the context of transportation, such as a bus company advertising that their buses ply a particular route.

    In summary, ply can refer to the folding or layering of a material, the repetitive use of a skill or tool, or the operation or travel along a specified route. Its meaning can vary depending on the context in which it is used.

  2. • To give one's mind to; to apply closely and steadily to; to work at; to work; to offer service; to practise or perform with diligence; to run regularly between two ports, as a vessel-also said of carbs runnign for hire.
    • A fold; a plait.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for PLY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for PLY

Etymology of PLY

The word "ply" has several different etymological origins, depending on the specific meaning of the word.

1. As a verb meaning "to work with or manipulate diligently":

- It comes from the Middle English word "plien" or "plyen", which meant "to bend, fold, or twist".

- This Middle English term derived from the Old English word "plegian", which had similar meanings.

2. As a verb meaning "to supply or provide":

- This sense of the word comes from the Middle English word "plien", which meant "to furnish, equip, or supply".

- The Middle English term derived from the Old French word "plier", meaning "to fold or bend".

3. As a noun meaning "a thickness or layer":

- It comes from the Middle English word "plie", which meant "a fold or layer".

Idioms with the word PLY

  • ply your trade The idiom "ply your trade" means to engage in or practice one's profession or trade skillfully and regularly to earn a living. It implies putting in effort, honing one's craft, and actively pursuing opportunities related to one's chosen field or occupation.
  • ply sb with sth The idiom "ply someone with something" means to provide or offer someone a generous or excessive amount of something, usually with the intention of persuading, convincing, or influencing them in some way. It often refers to offering drinks or food to someone in order to extract information, gain their favor, or make them more compliant.
  • ply between The idiom "ply between" refers to the regular movement or frequent back-and-forth travel between two or more places or locations. It often describes a repeated journey or route used for transportation, such as a vehicle, ship, or aircraft operating regularly or on a schedule between two specific points.
  • ply (sm with sth else) The idiom "ply someone with something else" means to offer or provide someone with a large or excessive amount of something, usually in an attempt to persuade, influence, or distract them. It is often used when someone is given excessive amounts of food, drink, information, compliments, or any other item or attention.
  • ply for hire/trade/business The idiom "ply for hire/trade/business" means to actively seek or solicit work, customers, or clients. It refers to the act of offering one's services or goods in order to make a living or generate business opportunities.
  • ply between (sth and sth else) The idiom "ply between (sth and sth else)" refers to the operation or movement back and forth between two specified places or things. It commonly describes the repetitive or continuous travel or activity between two locations or points.
  • ply for hire The idiom "ply for hire" refers to the action of seeking or soliciting work or employment. It typically describes a person actively trying to find job opportunities or offering their services to potential employers or clients.

Similar spelling words for PLY

Plural form of PLY is PLIES

Conjugate verb Ply

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have plied
you would have plied
he/she/it would have plied
we would have plied
they would have plied
I would have ply
you would have ply
he/she/it would have ply
we would have ply
they would have ply

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been plying
you would have been plying
he/she/it would have been plying
we would have been plying
they would have been plying

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would ply
you would ply
he/she/it would ply
we would ply
they would ply

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be plying
you would be plying
he/she/it would be plying
we would be plying
they would be plying

FUTURE

I will ply
you will ply
he/she/it will ply
we will ply
they will ply

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be plying
you will be plying
he/she/it will be plying
we will be plying
they will be plying

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have plied
you will have plied
he/she/it will have plied
we will have plied
they will have plied

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been plying
you will have been plying
he/she/it will have been plying
we will have been plying
they will have been plying

IMPERATIVE

you ply
we let´s ply

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to ply

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was plying
you were plying
he/she/it was plying
we were plying
they were plying

PAST PARTICIPLE

plied

PAST PERFECT

I had plied
you had plied
he/she/it had plied
we had plied
they had plied

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been plying
you had been plying
he/she/it had been plying
we had been plying
they had been plying

PRESENT

I ply
you ply
he/she/it plies
we ply
they ply

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am plying
you are plying
he/she/it is plying
we are plying
they are plying

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

plying

PRESENT PERFECT

I have plied
you have plied
he/she/it has plied
we have plied
they have plied

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been plying
you have been plying
he/she/it has been plying
we have been plying
they have been plying

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it ply

SIMPLE PAST

I plied
you plied
he/she/it plied
we plied
they plied

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