tarry

¹

[ tar-ee ]

verb (used without object)

, tar·ried, tar·ry·ing.

1. to remain or stay, as in a place; sojourn:

   He tarried in Baltimore on his way to Washington.

   Synonyms: abide, stop, lodge, rest

   Antonyms: leave

2. to delay or be tardy in acting, starting, coming, etc.; linger or loiter.
3. to wait.

verb (used with object)

, tar·ried, tar·ry·ing.

1. Archaic. to wait for.

noun

, plural tar·ries.

1. a stay; sojourn.

tarry

²

[ tahr-ee ]

adjective

, tar·ri·er, tar·ri·est.

1. of or like tar; smeared with tar.

tarry

/ ˈtærɪ /

verb

1. intr to delay in coming or going; linger
2. intr to remain temporarily or briefly
3. intr to wait or stay
4. archaic.
   tr to await

noun

1. rare.
   a stay

Derived Forms

• ˈtarrier, noun

Other Words From

• tarri·er noun
• un·tarried adjective
• un·tarry·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarry¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English taryen “to delay,” tary “a delay”; origin unknown

Origin of tarry²

First recorded in 1545–55; tar ¹ + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarry¹

C14 tarien, of uncertain origin

Synonym Study

See wait.

Example Sentences

The Sunday Times reported that Rayner had stayed in the flat of Lord Alli with Sam Tarry, who was then Labour MP for Ilford South, last December.

From BBC

However, Rayner was challenged over whether she should also have declared that Tarry stayed in the flat with her.

From BBC

Rayner insisted she had not broken any rules by not declaring Tarry stayed in the flat.

From BBC

Rayner added she did not go to New York with Tarry but she met up with him there.

From BBC

The architectural historian Reyner Banham believed that the wharf planted the seed that grew into Santa Monica, and that the tarry stench that earned the landing its nickname came from the “pee-yew” gesture that folks made, fanning at their noses as they hurried by.

From Los Angeles Times