ftp
verb · adjective · noun
Simple meaning
Use the file transfer protocol to transfer data from one computer to another.
Pronunciation
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
verb
computingtransitive
Use the file transfer protocol to transfer data from one computer to another
computingtransitive
To transfer using File Transfer Protocol.
adjective
video games
Free-to-play
noun
Internet
A standard network protocol used to transfer files from one host to another over a TCP-based network, such as the Internet.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- A2 · Elementary (estimated)
- Frequency
- Common
- Typical Use
- Everyday English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: Use the file transfer protocol to transfer data from one computer to another
Used this way, ftp is a specialist word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. This is a computing use: it carries a fixed technical meaning inside software and systems work.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Specialist/technical
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Specialized
- Connotation
- Clinical and technical
- Usage feel
- Technical and specialized
Where it naturally appears
- Technology
- Technical/specialist writing
- Business/professional
Usage note
In general conversation this sense usually needs explaining — outside its field, people reach for a plainer word.
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
A common way to make software available.
Related Words
Connected to the same idea, not synonyms.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.