verb
derail
duh-RAY-uhl
Derail (verb) means to come off, or cause something to come off, its railway tracks. Example: “The freight train derailed just outside the station.”
verb
1
To come off, or cause something to come off, its railway tracks.
"The freight train derailed just outside the station."
2
To disrupt or throw a plan, process, or conversation off course.
"One awkward question derailed the entire interview."
"Bad publicity threatened to derail the merger."
How to use derail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally, to leave the tracks; figuratively, to knock a plan or discussion off course.
Common pairings
derail talks
derail a plan
derail the conversation
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Word forms
- Plural
- derails
- Third person singular
- derails
- Past tense
- derailed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The freight train _____ just outside the station.
Etymology
From French derailler, "to go off the rails," from de- + rail.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for derail
See all rhymes for derail →Frequently asked questions
What does “derail” mean?
The word “derail” means to come off, or cause something to come off, its railway tracks. In plain terms, literally, to leave the tracks; figuratively, to knock a plan or discussion off course.
How do you pronounce “derail”?
“Derail” is pronounced duh-RAY-uhl (/ˌdəˈɹeɪ.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “derail” in a sentence?
Here is “derail” used in a sentence: “The freight train derailed just outside the station.”
What is another word for “derail”?
Words with a similar meaning to “derail” include unrail.
What part of speech is “derail”?
“Derail” is a verb.
Where does the word “derail” come from?
The word “derail” comes from French. From French derailler, "to go off the rails," from de- + rail.
How many meanings does “derail” have?
“Derail” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to come off, or cause something to come off, its railway tracks.
