verb
ply
pleye
verb
1
To work steadily at something, or use a tool with regular effort.
"The fisherman plied his trade along the coast for forty years."
"She plied her needle skilfully as she mended the shirt."
2
To keep offering someone something persistently.
"They plied the guests with food and wine all evening."
3
To travel regularly along a particular route.
"The ferry plies between the island and the mainland daily."
noun
1
A single layer or strand, as in wood, rope, or yarn.
"The tissue was made of three-ply paper."
How to Use Ply
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo work at something steadily, to travel a set route repeatedly, to keep offering something, or (as a noun) a layer or strand.
Common pairings
ply a trade
ply someone with drinks
ply between
three-ply
Word Forms
plied past tense, plied past tense, plies singular, plies singular
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Etymology
From Middle English "plien", ultimately from Latin "plicāre" (to fold) — the same root as "apply" and "reply".