jockey
11 synonyms for jockey, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who rides horses professionally in races.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A person who rides horses professionally in races.
“The jockey guided her horse to a narrow win.”
How to use jockey
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
jockey for position
racehorse jockey
disc jockey
Etymology
Originally a diminutive of Jock (itself a Scots form of "John"), used generically for horse-dealers and riders from the 16th century onward.
Full origin of jockey →Frequently asked questions
What does “jockey” mean?
The word “jockey” means a person who rides horses professionally in races. In plain terms, a professional horse-race rider, or — as a verb — to maneuver cleverly to gain an edge.
How do you pronounce “jockey”?
“Jockey” is pronounced JO-kee (/ˈd͡ʒɑki/ in IPA).
How do you use “jockey” in a sentence?
Here is “jockey” used in a sentence: “The jockey guided her horse to a narrow win.”
What part of speech is “jockey”?
Depending on how it is used, “jockey” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “jockey” come from?
The word “jockey” dates back to around 1500. Originally a diminutive of Jock (itself a Scots form of "John"), used generically for horse-dealers and riders from the 16th century onward.
Is “jockey” a common word?
“Jockey” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “jockey” have?
“Jockey” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who rides horses professionally in races.
What is the difference between a jockey and a rider?
A jockey specifically refers to a professional who rides horses in competitive races, while a rider is a more general term for anyone on horseback, professional or not. Every jockey is a rider, but not every rider is a jockey.
What does it mean to jockey for position?
To jockey for position uses the verb sense of jockey, meaning to maneuver skillfully for advantage in a competitive situation. It is often applied outside of horse racing, such as in business, politics, or sports, to describe people jostling for a better standing.
How is jockey used in terms like disc jockey?
In compounds like disc jockey, jockey extends from its racing sense to mean someone who operates or controls a particular kind of machine or role, such as playing music. The word keeps its core idea of skillfully handling or managing something.
