surrey

surrey — noun

1. A light carriage with a roof and four wheels, pulled by horses, with seats arran

1.nounB2
Definition

A light carriage with a roof and four wheels, pulled by horses, with seats arranged so passengers face forward. This type of carriage was popular across America from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, used for leisure rides or short trips.

Example

The family rented a surrey for a Sunday afternoon ride through the park.

Roya climbed into the surrey and sat beside the driver, facing the open road.

seats face forward — characteristic of this carriage type

Common collocations
  • ride in a surrey
  • drive a surrey
  • horse-drawn surrey
  • rent a surrey
Synonyms
  • carriage

    a general term for any horse-drawn passenger vehicle; broader in meaning

  • buggy

    a lighter, simpler carriage without a roof

Usage Note

Often capitalized as Surrey when referring to the specific historical vehicle type. This sense is now mostly found in historical descriptions or nostalgic contexts.

2. A historic county in southeastern England, located south of London. Surrey is kn

2.nounA2
Definition

A historic county in southeastern England, located south of London. Surrey is known for its green countryside, commuter towns, and areas of natural beauty such as the Surrey Hills.

Example

Aarav moved from London to Surrey to enjoy the quieter countryside.

collocation: move to Surrey

Vikram looked at three small houses in Surrey but could not afford any of them on his salary.

concrete scene: person house-hunting, illustrates high housing costs

Common collocations
  • in Surrey
  • Surrey County Council
  • Surrey Hills
  • live in Surrey

Usage Note

Always capitalized as a place name. Distinguished from the Canadian city sense by location — this Surrey is in England, south of London.

3. A city in British Columbia, Canada, located southeast of Vancouver. Surrey is pa

3.nounB1
Definition

A city in British Columbia, Canada, located southeast of Vancouver. Surrey is part of the Vancouver metropolitan area and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada.

Example

Tendai bought a house in Surrey, British Columbia, because it cost less than Vancouver.

collocation: in Surrey, British Columbia

Imani biked to Green Timbers Park in Surrey to meet friends for a Saturday morning picnic.

concrete scene: person visiting a park in Surrey, BC

Common collocations
  • in Surrey
  • Surrey, British Columbia
  • Surrey, BC
  • Surrey city centre
  • live in Surrey

Usage Note

Always capitalized as a place name. Distinguished from the English county sense by context — this Surrey is a city in Canada, not a county in England.

4. A trademarked name for a four-wheeled vehicle that is powered by foot pedals, si

4.nounC1
Definition

A trademarked name for a four-wheeled vehicle that is powered by foot pedals, similar in principle to a bicycle but with four wheels. These recreational vehicles are sometimes called Surrey pedal cars.

Example

The children rode a bright red Surrey pedal car around the neighbourhood park.

Surrey pedal car — full brand+product name

Adina's grandparents still own a vintage Surrey, which they take out on sunny weekends.

Common collocations
  • Surrey pedal car
  • vintage Surrey
  • ride a Surrey

Usage Note

Always capitalized as a brand name. Much less commonly known than the carriage sense.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four are historic counties in southern England, but each has a distinct character. Surrey, immediately south of London, is known for its wealthy commuter towns and protected landscapes like the Surrey Hills. Sussex, divided into East and West, stretches to the south coast and is famous for the South Downs and seaside resorts such as Brighton. Kent, east of Surrey and Sussex, is called 'the Garden of England' for its orchards and hop fields, and lies closest to continental Europe via the Channel Tunnel. Hampshire, to the southwest, contains the New Forest national park and the port cities of Southampton and Portsmouth. For example: 'She grew up in the Surrey countryside but moved to Brighton in Sussex after university.'

Surrey ↗Sussex ↗KentHampshire

Common collocations

Nouns

  • Surrey County Council
  • Surrey Hills
  • Surrey, British Columbia
  • Surrey city centre

Phrases

  • live in Surrey
  • move to Surrey
  • ride in a surrey
  • drive a surrey

Prepositions

  • in Surrey
  • to Surrey
  • from Surrey

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'surrey' for the carriage comes from the name of Surrey County in England, which in turn comes from Old English 'Sūþrīge', meaning 'southern district' — the area south of the Middle Saxon territory around London. The horse-drawn carriage was named after the county where it was first built in the late 1800s. The Canadian city of Surrey, British Columbia, was also named after the English county by early settlers in the 1880s.