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transfer

B1
verbnoun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /trænsˈfɜː/verb
  • /trɑːnsˈfɜː/verb
  • /ˈtræns.fɜː/noun
  • /ˈtrɑːns.fɜː/noun

US

  • /ˈtrænsfər/
  • /trænsˈfɜr/

Description

To transfer something means to move it from one place, person, or system to another. You might transfer money from your checking account to your savings account, transfer a file from your phone to your computer, or transfer ownership of a car to someone else. People can transfer too: a student may transfer to another university, or a worker may transfer to a different office. The idea is simple: something changes hands or moves to a new place.

Examples

  1. 1

    Digital files

    You can transfer the photos from your phone to your laptop.

  2. 2

    Banking

    I asked the bank to transfer the money to my savings account.

  3. 3

    School change

    She transferred to a different school after her family moved.

    • Pattern

      transfer to + school/team/office

      move to another place or group

  4. 4

    Work schedule

    He was transferred to the night shift last month.

  5. 5

    Customer service

    Let me transfer your call to our billing department.

  6. 6

    Practical skills

    What you learn in training does not always transfer to real situations.

    • Pattern

      transfer to + situation

      still be useful in that different situation

  7. 7

    Medical care

    The hospital arranged an emergency transfer to a larger medical center.

  8. 8

    Legal ownership

    The transfer of ownership won't be official until Friday.

  9. 9

    Travel connection

    We only had four minutes to make our transfer in Chicago.

    • Phrase

      make a transfer

      change from one bus, train, or plane to another

See also

verbmove someone or something from one place, person, system, or owner to another

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • transfer money
  • transfer files
  • transfer ownership
  • transfer to another school

Word family

Explore

  • assignment
  • custody

Forms and spellings

4 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • transfernounverb

Forms

  • transferredpast tenseverbnoun
  • transferspluralnounverb
  • transferring-ing formverbnoun