transfer

[ verb trans-fur, trans-fer; noun, adjective trans-fer ]

/ verb trænsˈfɜr, ˈtræns fər; noun, adjective ˈtræns fər /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: transfer / transferred / transferring on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), trans·ferred, trans·fer·ring.

to convey or remove from one place, person, etc., to another: He transferred the package from one hand to the other.

to cause to pass from one person to another, as thought, qualities, or power; transmit.

Law. to make over the possession or control of: to transfer a title to land.

to imprint, impress, or otherwise convey (a drawing, design, pattern, etc.) from one surface to another.

verb (used without object), trans·ferred, trans·fer·ring.

to remove oneself from one place to another: to transfer from the New York office to London.

to withdraw from one school, college, or the like, and enter another: I transferred from Rutgers to Tulane.

to be moved from one place to another: to transfer to overseas duty.

to change by means of a transfer from one bus, train, or the like, to another.

noun

a means or system of transferring.

an act of transferring.

the fact of being transferred.

a point or place for transferring.

a ticket entitling a passenger to continue a journey on another bus, train, or the like.

a drawing, design, pattern, or the like, that is or may be transferred from one surface to another, usually by direct contact.

a person who changes or is changed from one college, military unit, business department, etc., to another.

Law. a conveyance, by sale, gift, or otherwise, of real or personal property, to another.

Finance. the act of having the ownership of a stock or registered bond transferred.

Also called transfer of training. Psychology. the positive or negative influence of prior learning on subsequent learning.Compare generalization (def. 4).

Also called language transfer. Linguistics. the application of native-language rules in attempted performance in a second language, in some cases resulting in deviations from target-language norms and in other cases facilitating second-language acquisition.

adjective

of, relating to, or involving transfer payments.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of transfer

1350–1400; Middle English transferren (v.) <Latin trānsferre, equivalent to trāns-trans- + ferre to bear¹, carry

OTHER WORDS FROM transfer

trans·fer·a·ble, trans·fer·ra·ble, adjectivetrans·fer·a·bil·i·ty, nountrans·fer·rer, nounnon·trans·fer·a·bil·i·ty, noun

non·trans·fer·a·ble, adjectivere·trans·fer, verb (used with object), re·trans·ferred, re·trans·fer·ring.re·trans·fer, nounun·trans·fer·a·ble, adjectiveun·trans·ferred, adjectiveun·trans·fer·ring, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use transfer in a sentence

There was a lot of positive feedback from people interested in non-gender binary people.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She ultimately ditched JSwipe after about a week and found her current, non-Jewish, boyfriend on OkCupid.
My Week on Jewish Tinder|Emily Shire|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
An atheist counsels his fellow non-believers on how not to talk to people of faith.
The Case Against In-Your-Face Atheism|Steve Neumann|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The distinction between over-policing and non-responsiveness was alive and well in Bed-Stuy.
Ground Zero of the NYPD Slowdown|Batya Ungar-Sargon|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Last summer, Louisiana also banned non-legal adoption, with offenders facing a penalty of $5,000 and up to five years in prison.
Judge: Rehoming Kids Is Trafficking|Tina Traster|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The expatriated ex-rebels became alarmed by the non-receipt of the indemnity instalment and the news from their homes.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
He also states that the Audiencia is virtually non-existent, and so there is no high court in which justice may be sought.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
De moi, je ne say qu'en dire, d'autant que je ne veux affirmer ny le si ny le non en ce dont je n'ay vidence.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Certes le capitaine Merveilles et ses gens monstrerent leur pit non vulgaire.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
It teaches you to take your time, or as the Germans call it, it gives you "Ruhe (repose)," the grand sine qua non!
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay

British Dictionary definitions for transfer

transfer

verb (trænsˈfɜː) -fers, -ferring or -ferred

to change or go or cause to change or go from one thing, person, or point to anotherthey transferred from the Park Hotel to the Imperial; she transferred her affections to her dog

to change (buses, trains, etc)

law to make over (property, etc) to another; convey

to displace (a drawing, design, etc) from one surface to another

(of a football player, esp a professional) to change clubs or (of a club, manager, etc) to sell or release (a player) to another club

to leave one school, college, etc, and enrol at another

to change (the meaning of a word, etc), esp by metaphorical extension

noun (ˈtrænsfɜː)

the act, process, or system of transferring, or the state of being transferred

a person or thing that transfers or is transferred
(as modifier)a transfer student

a design or drawing that is transferred from one surface to another, as by ironing a printed design onto cloth

law the passing of title to property or other right from one person to another by act of the parties or by operation of law; conveyance

finance

the act of transferring the title of ownership to shares or registered bonds in the books of the issuing enterprise
(as modifier)transfer deed; transfer form

any document or form effecting or regulating a transfer

mainly US and Canadian a ticket that allows a passenger to change routes

Derived forms of transfer

transferable or transferrable, adjectivetransferability, noun

Word Origin for transfer

C14: from Latin transferre, from trans- + ferre to carry

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

transfer

Origin of transfer

OTHER WORDS FROM transfer

Words related to transfer

How to use transfer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for transfer

Derived forms of transfer

Word Origin for transfer