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Definition of wharf
wharf
/wɔːrf/
wharf
Plural:wharves
•Past Simple:wharfed
•Past Participle:wharfed
•Present Participle:wharfing
wharf Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
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Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A level quayside area, typically built of wood, stone, or concrete, to which a ship may be moored to load and unload cargo or passengers.
Example
"The merchants gathered at the wharf to inspect the silk and spices that had just arrived from overseas."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for wharf• verb
1
To moor or bring a ship alongside a wharf.
Example
"The captain deftly wharfed the schooner despite the rapidly changing tides."
2
To discharge, load, or store cargo on a wharf.
Example
"They wharfed the lumber early in the morning so it could be distributed to the local builders by noon."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for wharf Antonyms
View all antonyms for wharf• Rhymes for wharf
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'hwearf' meaning 'shore or bank where ships can be moored', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'werf' (yard).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Wharf. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/wharf