ferryman
Americannoun
plural
ferrymenOther Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ferryman
First recorded in 1425–75, ferryman is from the late Middle English word feryman. See ferry, man
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Kentridge likens the captain to the ferryman, Charon, in Greek mythology transporting the dead across the river Styx to the underworld.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 8, 2025
This week, a different anticyclone, named for Hades’ ferryman, also drifted from North Africa toward Europe’s outer-region nations, consigning Italy to crisis mode.
From Slate • Jul. 20, 2023
The Italian weather service said the island will be at the "epicentre" of next week's heatwave, which weather forecasters have dubbed Charon, after the ferryman who delivered souls into the underworld in Greek mythology.
From BBC • Jul. 15, 2023
Italian meteorologists have dubbed the next phase of the European heatwave "Charon" - a reference to the ferryman of the souls of the dead in Greek mythology.
From Reuters • Jul. 14, 2023
The soul must then recite a counting rhyme to tally his fingers, satisfying the ferryman.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
