tarry

¹

[ tar-ee ]

verb (used without object)

, tar·ried, tar·ry·ing.

1. to remain or stay, as in a place; sojourn:

   He tarried in Baltimore on his way to Washington.

   Synonyms: abide, stop, lodge, rest

   Antonyms: leave

2. to delay or be tardy in acting, starting, coming, etc.; linger or loiter.
3. to wait.

verb (used with object)

, tar·ried, tar·ry·ing.

1. Archaic. to wait for.

noun

, plural tar·ries.

1. a stay; sojourn.

tarry

²

[ tahr-ee ]

adjective

, tar·ri·er, tar·ri·est.

1. of or like tar; smeared with tar.

tarry

/ ˈtærɪ /

verb

1. intr to delay in coming or going; linger
2. intr to remain temporarily or briefly
3. intr to wait or stay
4. archaic.
   tr to await

noun

1. rare.
   a stay

Derived Forms

• ˈtarrier, noun

Other Words From

• tarri·er noun
• un·tarried adjective
• un·tarry·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarry¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English taryen “to delay,” tary “a delay”; origin unknown

Origin of tarry²

First recorded in 1545–55; tar ¹ + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarry¹

C14 tarien, of uncertain origin

Synonym Study

See wait.

Example Sentences

It should also squish anything softer than this tarry substance.

From Science News For Students

A business park called Grove 270 sits where Steve Miller once tarried too long onstage.

From Washington Post

They were all made by monks, and from memory; for the monks did not tarry.

From The Daily Beast

If I could tarry four or five days longer I could set it to work before going to London.

From Project Gutenberg

Much as we wished to tarry in this vicinity, our time was so limited that we were compelled to hasten on.

From Project Gutenberg

The east pier, as far as it was dry, was covered by the fashion and beauty—as well as by the fishy and tarry—of the town.

From Project Gutenberg

If thou be not a buyer of gold, nor a vendor of silver, tarry not at my door; I have no time for beggars.

From Project Gutenberg

Black Hoof was there with a large force, but he could not tarry without leaving the Scioto towns uncovered.

From Project Gutenberg