Derby Meaning
/ˈdɑː.bi/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAny of several annual horse races.
nounAny organized race.
Sentence Examples
Derby Day is Wednesday fortnight.
Don't you think my horse ought to win the Derby?
Tom is planning to enter a soap box derby.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
They placed their bets on the annual horse ____ held in May.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____ Day is Wednesday fortnight.
Word Origin & History
From Epsom Derby horse race, named after Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby. Ultimately from Derby.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"He began to fan her with his hat. That was successful, for he struck her nose with the brim of his derby and she opened her eyes."
— 1906, O. Henry, The Green Door:
"Defeat sees Forest remain a point outside the top six with a derby against Leicester up next."
— 2011 April 15, Saj Chowdhury, “Norwich 2 - 1 Nott'm Forest”, in BBC Sport:
"The left-back had been a selection concern because of an injury niggle but his first goal since last March swung this derby decisively in United’s favour, extending their club record unbeaten run away from home in the Premier League to 22 games and torpedoing City’s sequence of 21 straight wins in all competitions."
— 2021 March 7, David Hytner, “Manchester United catch City cold as Fernandes and Shaw end winning run”, in The Guardian:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
They placed their bets on the annual horse ____ held in May.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____ Day is Wednesday fortnight.