Transfer
ˈtrænsfɜːr
Definitions
3 meaningsTo move something or someone from one place, person, or thing to another.
ˈtrænsfɜːr
To move something from one place or person to another.
The company transferred the funds to the new account.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're moving a toy from your hand to your friend's hand. Or maybe you're getting a new video game and moving the game to your new device. Transfer means moving something from one place or person to another.
👶 For kids: To move something from one place to another, like when you move toys from your room to the living room.
More Examples
She transferred the documents to a digital format.
He was transferred to a different department at work.
How It's Used
"I need to transfer money from my savings account."
"You need to transfer trains at Grand Central Station."
"The player was transferred to a new team."
The process or act of moving something or someone from one place to another.
ˈtrænsfɜːr
The act of moving something or someone from one place or person to another.
The bank confirmed the money transfer.
💡 Simply: When you move money from your bank account to another account, or when a soccer player leaves one team to go to another, that's a 'transfer'. It's the whole process, the *action* of moving things (or people!) around.
👶 For kids: When you move something from one place to another, like when you switch schools or when you move toys from one box to another.
More Examples
The transfer of power was a peaceful event.
The hospital's policy regarding patient transfers is strict.
How It's Used
"The transfer of funds was completed successfully."
"The train transfer took longer than expected."
"The player's transfer was announced yesterday."
A ticket that allows you to change from one bus, train, or plane to another in order to continue your journey.
ˈtrænsfɜːr
A ticket for a connecting journey.
You'll need a transfer if you're taking the subway to the airport.
💡 Simply: When you're riding the bus and need to get on another bus to reach your destination, you might get a 'transfer', a special ticket that lets you switch buses.
👶 For kids: A special ticket that lets you change buses or trains.
More Examples
I had to use three transfers to get to the concert.
How It's Used
"The bus driver gave me a transfer."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
transfer of power
The process by which authority is passed from one person or group to another.
"The transfer of power after the election was peaceful."
blood transfer
The medical procedure of giving blood to a patient.
"The patient required a blood transfer after the accident."
From Middle English translaten, from Old French translater, from Latin transferre ('to carry across'), from trans ('across') + ferre ('to carry').
The word 'transfer' has been used since the 14th century, originally in the sense of 'to carry or convey across.' Over time, its meaning expanded to include various contexts.
Memory tip
Think of carrying something across. Trans- means across, and ferre means carry.
Word Origin
"to carry across"