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  • fer
    fer
    preposition
  • -fer
    -fer
    a combining form meaning “that which carries” the thing specified by the initial element, used in the formation of compound words.

fer

1 American  
[fur, fer] / fɜr, fər /

preposition

Informal.
  1. for.


-fer 2 American  
  1. a combining form meaning “that which carries” the thing specified by the initial element, used in the formation of compound words.

    aquifer; conifer; foraminifer.


-fer British  

combining form

  1. indicating a person or thing that bears something specified

    crucifer

    conifer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fer1

A phonetic spelling representing the pronunciation of this word in dialectal speech

Origin of -fer2

From Latin, derivative of ferre “to carry, support, bear,” in Latin generally forming adjectives; the corresponding English adjectives add -ous; see bear 1, -ferous

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.

As Oasis reunion fever gripped the nation last year, Scotland went particularly mad fer it.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

As with brachetto, I cannot claim deep experience with fer servadou, which is often called fer.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2022

Well out here in Durango, it ain’t fit fer a fella.

From Washington Post • Oct. 4, 2018

“Am . de . fer . - however you say it,” she said.

From Washington Times • Dec. 16, 2017

“You never told him? Never told him what was in the letter Dumbledore left fer him? I was there! I saw Dumbledore leave it, Dursley! An’ you’ve kept it from him all these years?”

From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling

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