noun
debs
Debs (noun) means a debutante ball, especially in Irish English. Example: “She bought a new dress for the school debs.”
noun
1
A debutante ball, especially in Irish English.
"David Maxwell, a member of the board of management of the school, said cars bringing teenagers to the debs were travelling in convoy and that friends and neighbours were first on the scene of the crash."
— Conor Lally, Monaghan crash: Clones mourners form guard of honour as remains of teenager killed on way to debs return home (2023)
"'I had my debs there,' she said, 'four years ago last summer.'"
— Danielle McLaughlin, A Different Country (2013)
"She bought a new dress for the school debs."
How to use debs
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn end-of-school formal dance, especially the term used in Ireland (similar to a prom).
UK vs US
Mainly Irish usage — Americans would call the equivalent event a "prom."
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Word forms
- Plural
- debses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She bought a new dress for the school _____.
Etymology
A clipping of debutante, or of debut plus -s (hypocoristic suffix).
Rhymes for debs
See all rhymes for debs →Frequently asked questions
What does “debs” mean?
The word “debs” means a debutante ball, especially in Irish English. In plain terms, an end-of-school formal dance, especially the term used in Ireland (similar to a prom).
How do you use “debs” in a sentence?
Here is “debs” used in a sentence: “She bought a new dress for the school debs.”
What part of speech is “debs”?
“Debs” is a noun.
What is the meaning of debs?
"debs" (noun) means a debutante ball, especially in Irish English.
