dory: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Specialist/Technical, Nautical, Icthyology; also appears in literature and historical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “dory” mean?
A small, flat-bottomed boat with high sides, traditionally used for fishing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, flat-bottomed boat with high sides, traditionally used for fishing.
A spiny-finned marine fish, known as the John Dory, with a laterally compressed body and a dark spot on each side.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'dory' is overwhelmingly associated with the fish (John Dory). In North America, particularly in New England and maritime Canada, the boat sense is more prevalent, though still regional.
Connotations
UK: Primarily culinary/zoological. US/Canada: Nautical, artisanal fishing, heritage.
Frequency
Low frequency in both dialects. The boat sense is virtually absent in everyday UK English. The fish sense is understood but not common in everyday US English outside of seafood menus or biology.
Grammar
How to Use “dory” in a Sentence
to row/launch/beach a doryto catch/cook/serve doryVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dory” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No standard verb use)
American English
- (No standard verb use)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb use)
American English
- (No standard adverb use)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjective use)
American English
- The dory fleet set out at dawn. (Attributive noun use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in the seafood trade or boat manufacturing.
Academic
Found in marine biology (fish), maritime history, and anthropology (boat).
Everyday
Very rare. Possibly on a seafood menu or in coastal communities.
Technical
Specific terms in ichthyology and traditional boat-building.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dory”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dory”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dory”
- Using 'dory' for any small boat (it's a specific, flat-bottomed type).
- Confusing John Dory with walleye or other white fish.
- Misspelling as 'dorry' or 'dorey'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word with specific, mostly technical or regional uses.
The animated fish character 'Dory' from Disney/Pixar's *Finding Nemo* and *Finding Dory*, which popularised the fish name globally.
No. 'Dory' (boat) comes from Miskito (Indigenous language) 'dori'. 'Dory' (fish) comes from French 'dorée', meaning 'gilded'.
Incorrect. It specifically refers to a small, flat-bottomed boat with high sides, often used in pairs (dory schooners). Using it generically marks a non-specialist.
A small, flat-bottomed boat with high sides, traditionally used for fishing.
Dory is usually specialist/technical, nautical, icthyology; also appears in literature and historical contexts. in register.
Dory: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɔːri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɔːri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Rare] 'In the same dory' - facing the same difficulties (nautical metaphor).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a story about a GLORY-seeking fisherman who caught a DORY. Or, DORY the fish has a 'door' (the dark spot) on its side.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BOAT AS A SIMPLE, RELIABLE TOOL. THE FISH AS A MYSTERIOUS/DISTINCTIVE ENTITY (due to its unusual appearance).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'dory' most likely to refer to a boat?