ply
verb (used with object)
to work with or at diligently; employ busily; use.
plies
-
pluralof ply.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
pliés
-
pluralof plié.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
pliénouna movement in which the knees are bent while the back is held straight.
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.
See Examples For:
Sheinbaum's interest in her art had "changed her life," the trained business administrator said in Oaxaca in southern Mexico, where she now plies her art.
From Barron's ● Jan. 2, 2026
One Colombian pilot who plies the Caribbean said crews look for any advantage, from sailing at night or in rough weather, even in storms when Colombian government patrol boats might stay in port.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 28, 2025
Those watching would have been forgiven for thinking Evans would breeze past the unheralded Vasa, who plies most of his trade far away from the Grand Slam tournaments on the bottom-rung Futures Tour.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2024
She plies a similar jovial egocentrism as a substitute teacher on “Abbott Elementary,” and both characters are insufferable to the adults in the room.
From Salon ● Feb. 9, 2024
Our Don John is absolutely captivated, and plies her home with all the Rhetorick that Love can afford.
From The Notorious Impostor and Diego Redivivus by Elkanah Settle
Some carried energy drinks and bottles of hand sanitizer; others brought their dogs, who settled into naps under the barre as the dancers began a series of exercises — pliés, tendus, jumps and pirouettes.
From New York Times ● Jul. 28, 2022
The week before we'd shared crackers and chats while our children practiced their pliés.
From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2021
You might envision an open studio, pupils all in a row, lined up to practice their pliés and jetés at the command of their instructor.
From Slate ● Jun. 16, 2015
In pink tutu and toe shoes and a mix of concentration and panic, Ashford does a spasmodic series of pliés as though 300-volt charges were running through her body.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2015
They were full of promise, of leaps and pliés and the feeling of being lighter than air.
From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu
