noun Common

derby

DAH-bee

Derby (noun) means a sports match between two rival local teams. Example: “Tickets for the derby against their city rivals sold out in minutes.”

noun

A sports match between two rival local teams.

"Tickets for the derby against their city rivals sold out in minutes."

A famous annual horse race, or by extension any major organized race.

"The horse was a long shot going into the derby."

A rounded felt hat with a stiff brim, called a bowler hat in British English.

"He wore an old derby hat to the vintage car show."

How to use derby

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA big rivalry match, a famous horse race, or (in American English) a type of hat.

UK vs US

In the US, "derby" (the hat) is what the British call a "bowler hat".

Common pairings

local derby Kentucky Derby derby hat

Word forms

derbies plural, Derbys plural

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Tickets for the _____ against their city rivals sold out in minutes.

Etymology

Named after the Epsom Derby horse race, itself named for Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby.

Synonyms

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local derby grudge match rivalry match

Rhymes for derby

Weatherby

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Frequently asked questions

What does “derby” mean?

The word “derby” means a sports match between two rival local teams. In plain terms, a big rivalry match, a famous horse race, or (in American English) a type of hat.

How do you pronounce “derby”?

“Derby” is pronounced DAH-bee (/ˈdɝ.bi/ in IPA).

How do you use “derby” in a sentence?

Here is “derby” used in a sentence: “Tickets for the derby against their city rivals sold out in minutes.”

What part of speech is “derby”?

“Derby” is a noun.

Is “derby” a common word?

“Derby” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “derby” have?

“Derby” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sports match between two rival local teams.

What is the difference between a derby and an ordinary match?

A derby is specifically a sports match between two rival local teams, so it carries extra tension and history between clubs from the same city or region. An ordinary match is simply a game between any two teams without that built-in local rivalry.

Why is a horse race called a derby?

In one of its senses, derby refers to a famous annual horse race and, by extension, to any major organised race. The name comes from a long-standing English horse race, and it is now applied broadly to prominent races and competitions.

How is the word 'derby' pronounced differently in British and American English?

In British English 'derby' is usually pronounced 'DAR-bee', while in American English it is pronounced 'DUR-bee'. The spelling stays the same in both varieties; only the vowel sound differs.

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