English Reference

Word

hoy

US/ˈhɔɪ/

UK/hˈɔɪ/

Definition

n. a small, heavy boat used to carry passengers or goods over short distances. You might see this word in old stories about ships and ports.

n. a small coastal sailing vessel, typically rigged as a sloop, used for short-distance transport of cargo or passengers. Historically significant in the 18th and 19th centuries for lightering and local ferry services.

Examples

“The hoy carried the heavy cargo to the larger ship.”

“Before the bridge was built, a small hoy ferried travelers across the narrow channel every morning.”

“The harbor was crowded with various vessels, from massive merchantmen to the humble hoys that darted between the docks with local supplies.”

Examples

simple

“The hoy carried the heavy cargo to the larger ship.”

contextual

“Before the bridge was built, a small hoy ferried travelers across the narrow channel every morning.”

complex

“The harbor was crowded with various vessels, from massive merchantmen to the humble hoys that darted between the docks with local supplies.”

Usage

Commonly found in historical nautical literature; largely obsolete in modern maritime contexts.

Real-World Examples

“Solo el 40% de los hispanos en Estados Unidos afirma que ese sueño sigue siendo una realidad hoy en día , frente al 52% hace apenas dos años.”
The Conversation · 23 Sept 2026
“Cuando hablo con los socorristas del 11 de septiembre, describen su TEPT y sus dificultades cognitivas como problemas interrelacionados que siguen afectando sus vidas hasta el día de hoy.”
The Conversation · 10 Sept 2026

Domains

EducationNautical

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference