tarry

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'tarry' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means "to delay; to stay or linger in readiness or expectation." For example, "He tarried at the door, waiting for her to arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Already, each of the village's ramshackle homes accommodates up to 20 refugees.If there are able-bodied men among the displaced, they do not tarry long.

The Economist

Inside them, the world's largest dumptrucks ferry paydirt to nearby separation plants, where the tarry soil is crushed and diluted until bitumen can be skimmed off.

The Economist

Even countries like Russia, until recently the industry's great hope, are rolling up the welcome mat.Nowadays, "Big Oil" reigns supreme in only a relatively small niche: the most technologically challenging and expensive projects, such as drilling in deep water, or turning tarry sand into something more useful.

The Economist

Transforming Alberta's tarry muck into a barrel of oil is an energy-intensive process that produces about three times the emissions of a barrel of conventional light sweet crude.Having woken belatedly to the danger, the Canadian government is now scrambling to secure an exception.

The Economist

But perhaps the hordes moving to the coast know something the academics do not; likewise the trippers squeezed into a ribbon of tarry, cigarette-strewn sand.

The Economist

Steaming the heavy oil out of the ground, or mining and processing the tarry sand, require large amounts of energy and water, and the deforestation of vast tracts of boreal forest.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Each tank car, black and tarry-looking, with faded white markings, resembles the one that follows it; slowly rolling past a grade crossing of the Trans-Siberian Railway, a trainload of these cars defines monotony.

The New Yorker

The man who famously made black paintings in the fifties turns to steel tubing and carbon fiber, a hard and tarry-looking material used in the construction of stealth bombers.

The New Yorker

Although this tiny 10-seat restaurant, done in the brilliant colors of India, lends itself more to carry-out than to tarry-in, the food is cooked in a surprisingly large kitchen and loads of market-fresh vegetables enrich the flavor of almost every dish.

The New York Times

Kavanagh was self-educated and worked for a while on a farm in his home county, which provided the setting for a novel, Tarry Flynn (1948), which later was dramatized and presented at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its latest financial results show an operating profit of £150m in the three months to the end of June; most of its competitors are struggling with losses.According to Chris Tarry, an aviation consultant, BA has made substantial progress, reflected in these financial results.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tarry" when you want to evoke a sense of old-fashioned or slightly formal delay or lingering. It's particularly effective in historical or literary contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "tarry" in casual or contemporary settings where more common words like "wait" or "linger" would sound more natural. "Tarry" can sound stilted if used inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tarry" is as an intransitive verb, indicating the act of delaying, lingering, or remaining in a place. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a usable verb in written English. For example, "They do not "tarry" long."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "tarry" is a grammatically correct and usable verb, primarily functioning to describe the act of delaying or lingering. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a valid verb in written English. While it can sound slightly formal or old-fashioned in contemporary settings, "tarry" maintains a presence in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal writing. Its meaning overlaps with words like ""linger"", ""delay"", and "wait", but it often implies a more intentional or leisurely lingering. When used appropriately, "tarry" can add a touch of elegance and historical depth to your writing. Consider context when selecting the term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

linger

Focuses on remaining or waiting longer than necessary or expected.

delay

Emphasizes postponing or causing something to happen later than planned.

loiter

Suggests standing or waiting around idly or without apparent purpose.

remain

Highlights staying in the same place or condition.

stay

Indicates continuing to be in a particular place or state for a period of time.

wait

Implies remaining inactive in anticipation of something.

sojourn

Refers to staying somewhere temporarily.

abide

Implies remaining or staying in a place.

dawdle

Focuses on wasting time or moving slowly.

procrastinate

Highlights delaying or postponing actions or decisions.

FAQs

How to use "tarry" in a sentence?

Use "tarry" to indicate a delay or lingering in a place or state. For example, "Do not "delay"; the hour is late" or "She decided to "linger" a while longer at the cafe".

What can I say instead of "tarry"?

You can use alternatives like ""linger"", ""delay"", or "wait" depending on the context.

Is "tarry" formal or informal?

"Tarry" is generally considered a more formal or old-fashioned word. It's less common in everyday conversation and more suited for literary or historical contexts.

What's the difference between "tarry" and ""delay""?

"Tarry" often implies a leisurely or intentional lingering, while ""delay"" suggests a postponement or causing something to happen later than expected. "Tarry" can also mean to stay or sojourn temporarily.