Carry — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈker-ē/ car·ry

Meaning & Definition of Carry

Carry (verb)

  1. to move (a person or thing) while holding or supporting, transport —often used figuratively
  2. to convey (something) by direct communication
  3. conduct, escort

Carry (noun)

  1. carrying power; especially, the range of a gun or projectile or of a struck or thrown ball
  2. portage
  3. the act or method of carrying

Carry (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to support and take from one place to another

    "each camper must be able to carry his or her own backpack"

  2. to wear or have on one's person

    "I always carry a camera with me so as to never miss a great shot"

    similar: bear, pack
  3. to bring before the public in performance or exhibition

    "all of the television networks will carry the president's speech"

  4. to have as part of a whole

    "the idea of equality carries with it a number of other concepts"

    opposite: exclude, leave (out), miss out (British), omit
  5. to hold up or serve as a foundation for

    "erected a trellis to carry the vine"

    related: steady, truss, underlie
  6. to receive as return for effort

    "carried off the award for best picture of the year"

    opposite: forfeit, lose
  7. to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way

    "during that difficult time the grieving parents carried themselves with unfailing grace and dignity"

Related Entry: Carry away (verb)

Carry away is a different word from Carry. The synonyms below are for carry away, not for carry.

  1. to fill with overwhelming emotion (as wonder or delight)

    "the beauty of the music carried him away"

Related Entry: Carry off (verb)

Carry off is a different word from Carry. The synonyms below are for carry off, not for carry.

  1. to carry through (as a process) to completion

    "the con artist would never have been able to carry off his schemes if it were not for the greed of his eager victims"

  2. to deprive of life

    "pray that the pestilence does not carry off any more souls than it already has"

    similar: claim, croak (slang), destroy, dispatch, do in, fell, kill, slay, take, do away with, do for (chiefly British), make away with
    opposite: animate

Related Entry: Carry-on (noun)

Carry-on is a different word from Carry. The synonyms below are for carry-on, not for carry.

  1. a bag carried by hand and designed to hold a traveler's clothing and personal articles

    "the airline allows two carry-ons per person"

Related Entry: Carry on (verb)

Carry on is a different word from Carry. The synonyms below are for carry on, not for carry.

  1. to behave badly

    "a toddler crying and carrying on in the store"

  2. to continue despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement

    "she bravely carried on despite the loss of her husband"

  3. to look after and make decisions about

    "carries on a business and still manages to run the household"

Related Entry: Carry out (verb)

Carry out is a different word from Carry. The synonyms below are for carry out, not for carry.

  1. to carry through (as a process) to completion

    "carried out the task efficiently and cheerfully"

Related Entry: Carry a torch (for) (phrase)

Carry a torch (for) is a different word from Carry. The synonyms below are for carry a torch (for), not for carry.

  1. to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for

    "She still carries a torch for her husband after over 30 years of marriage."

Related Entry: Carry the day (phrase)

Carry the day is a different word from Carry. The synonyms below are for carry the day, not for carry.

  1. to achieve victory (as in a contest)

    "They had a bad start, but the home team managed to carry the day in the end."

    opposite: lose

Related Entry: Carry weight (phrase)

Carry weight is a different word from Carry. The synonyms below are for carry weight, not for carry.

  1. to be of importance

    "His opinion doesn't carry much weight with the people who'll make the final decision."

Related Entry: Carry through (verb)

Carry through is a different word from Carry. The synonyms below are for carry through, not for carry.

  1. as in survive, prevail

  2. as in do, carry out

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Carry

The most common words with a similar meaning to Carry:

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Carry

Words with the opposite meaning of Carry:

Near Antonyms of Carry

Word Forms of Carry

Inflections: carried, carrying, carries

Origin & Etymology of Carry

Middle English carien "to transport by a cart, horse or other means, convey, bear in one's arms, on one's back, etc.," borrowed from Anglo-French carier, charier "to transport, bear in one's arms, carry off, drive" (continental Old French charrier, charroier, Picard & Norman carier), from carre, charre "cart, wagon, small cartload" + -ier, -oier, factitive verb suffix, going back to Latin -idiāre, originally representing variant pronunciation (or spelling variant) of -izāre -ize car

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Carry

Words & Phrases Containing Carry

Frequently Asked Questions about Carry

What does "Carry" mean?

"Carry" means to move (a person or thing) while holding or supporting, transport —often used figuratively. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to move (a person or thing) while holding or supporting, transport —often used figuratively. It has 7 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Carry"?

Other words for "Carry" include bear, cart, convey, ferry, haul, lug, pack and tote. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Carry" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Carry"?

There are 152 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Carry". Common alternatives include bear, cart, convey, ferry, haul, lug, pack, tote, transport and give.

What is the opposite of "Carry"?

Antonyms of "Carry" include exclude, leave (out), miss out, omit, forfeit and lose. Near antonyms include ban, bar, debar and preclude.

How do you use "Carry" in a sentence?

Examples of "Carry" in a sentence: "each camper must be able to carry his or her own backpack"; "I always carry a camera with me so as to never miss a great shot"; "all of the television networks will carry the president's speech".

Is "Carry" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Carry" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Carry" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Carry" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Carry"?

"Carry" is pronounced /ˈker-ē/ and divided into syllables as car·ry.