fer

[ fur; unstressed fer ]

/ fɜr; unstressed fər /

Save This Word!

preposition, conjunction Informal.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of fer

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

Words nearby fer

feoffee, feoffment, Feosol, FEPA, FEPC, fer, FERA, ferae naturae, feral, feral child, ferbam

Other definitions for fer (2 of 2)

-fer

a combining form meaning “that which carries” the thing specified by the initial element, used in the formation of compound words: aquifer; conifer; foraminifer.

Origin of -fer

From Latin, derivative of ferre “to carry, support, bear,” in Latin generally forming adjectives; the corresponding English adjectives add -ous; see bear¹, -ferous

How to use fer in a sentence

Go ask anybody who remembers A&P, Gimbels, Digital Equipment, Kodak, or Borders, fer chrissakes.
The Abysmal, Pathetic Obamacare Rollout|Nick Gillespie|October 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Annuit vero ac propemodum sese iam Nortmannum pronuntiat; nam Gallos fer omnes Nortmannos appellitant.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Hinc sequitur nimirum, vt pruinosa sit, & tam ventosa, sed flatu non nisi fer 72 algido.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
He tole her he had a nice forty acres fer sale–hunderd down, the balance later on.
Alec Lloyd, Cowpuncher|Eleanor Gates

A-course, Mrs. Bridger got a nice little pile of money fer it, and paid Curry the balance she owed him.
Alec Lloyd, Cowpuncher|Eleanor Gates
If youre finding the rent of this 24 house too much fer ye, why, theres cheaper tenements in town.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison

British Dictionary definitions for fer

-fer

n combining form

indicating a person or thing that bears something specifiedcrucifer; conifer

Word Origin for -fer

from Latin, from ferre to bear

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