Ply — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈplī/

Meaning & Definition of Ply

Ply (verb)

  1. to use or wield diligently
  2. to practice or perform diligently
  3. to keep furnishing or supplying something to
  4. to twist together

Ply (noun)

  1. one of several layers (as of cloth) usually sewn or laminated together
  2. one of the strands in a yarn
  3. one of the veneer sheets forming plywood

Ply (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an attitude that always favors one way of feeling or acting especially without considering any other possibilities

    "since taking a ply to French burgundies, he's hardly even looked at anything else in the wine store"

    similar: bias, favor, nonobjectivity, one-sidedness, parti pris, partiality, partisanship, prejudice, tendentiousness
    related: chauvinism, cronyism, favoritism, nepotism, self-opinionatedness, self-partiality, bent, inclination, leaning, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency, preconception, prejudgment, prepossession
    opposite: impartiality, neutrality, objectivity, open-mindedness, unbiasedness
    near: calm, detachment, dispassion, indifference, aversion, dislike, distaste, hate, scunner

Ply (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to bring to bear especially forcefully or effectively

    "she plied all of her charm and intelligence to convince everyone to volunteer as tutors"

    similar: apply, exercise, exert, put out, wield
    related: employ, use, utilize, abuse, misapply, misuse

  2. to cause to twine about one another

    "two single yarns were plied together to get the fabric that smooth, firm feel"

    similar: enlace, entwine, implicate (archaic), interlace, intertwine, intertwist, interweave, inweave, lace, twist, weave, wreathe, writhe
    related: braid, plait, plat, pleach, blend, fuse, join, link, mix
    near: disentangle, uncoil, untangle, untwine, unwind

Related Entry: Ply (with) (verb)

Ply (with) is a different word from Ply. The synonyms below are for ply (with), not for ply.

  1. as in give, hand over

    similar: administer, allocate, apportion, deal (out), dispense, distribute, dole out, mete (out), parcel (out), portion, prorate, deliver, feed, furnish, give, hand, hand over, provide, supply, assign, cede, deed, make over, transfer
    opposite: hold (back), keep (back), reserve, retain, withhold, conserve, keep up, maintain, preserve, save

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ply

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ply:

Archaic: implicate
bias, favor, nonobjectivity, one-sidedness, parti pris, partiality, partisanship, prejudice, tendentiousness, apply, exercise, exert, put out, wield, enlace, entwine, interlace, intertwine, intertwist, interweave, inweave, lace, twist, weave, wreathe, writhe

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Ply

Words with the opposite meaning of Ply:

impartiality, neutrality, objectivity, open-mindedness, unbiasedness

Related Words for Ply

chauvinism, cronyism, favoritism, nepotism, self-opinionatedness, self-partiality, bent, inclination, leaning, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency, preconception, prejudgment, prepossession, employ, use, utilize, abuse, misapply, misuse, braid, plait, plat, pleach, blend, fuse

Near Antonyms of Ply

calm, detachment, dispassion, indifference, aversion, dislike, distaste, hate, scunner, disentangle, uncoil, untangle, untwine, unwind

Word Forms of Ply

Inflections: plied, plying, plies

Origin & Etymology of Ply

Middle English plien "to put on, around or over, use," aphetic form of aplien, applien "to join, combine, use for a certain purpose, apply"

First known use: 14th centuryt

Words & Phrases Containing Ply

ply for hire/business/trade, ply one's trade, ply one's wares, ply with, bias-ply tire, multi-ply, two-ply

Frequently Asked Questions about Ply

What does "Ply" mean?

"Ply" means to use or wield diligently. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to use or wield diligently. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Ply"?

Other words for "Ply" include bias, favor, nonobjectivity, one-sidedness, parti pris, partiality, partisanship and prejudice. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ply" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ply"?

There are 60 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ply". Common alternatives include bias, favor, nonobjectivity, one-sidedness, parti pris, partiality, partisanship, prejudice, tendentiousness and apply.

What is the opposite of "Ply"?

Antonyms of "Ply" include impartiality, neutrality, objectivity, open-mindedness and unbiasedness. Near antonyms include calm, detachment, dispassion and indifference.

How do you use "Ply" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ply" in a sentence: "since taking a ply to French burgundies, he's hardly even looked at anything else in the wine store"; "she plied all of her charm and intelligence to convince everyone to volunteer as tutors"; "two single yarns were plied together to get the fabric that smooth, firm feel".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Ply"?

"Ply" is pronounced /ˈplī/.

What is the origin of the word "Ply"?

"Ply" comes from Middle English plien "to put on, around or over, use," aphetic form of aplien, applien "to join, combine, use for a certain purpose, apply". First known use: 14th centuryt.