noun
Uncommon
jockey
JO-kee
Jockey (noun) means a person who rides horses professionally in races. Example: “The jockey guided her horse to a narrow win.”
noun
1
A person who rides horses professionally in races.
"The jockey guided her horse to a narrow win."
2
Someone who operates or controls a particular kind of machine or role, often in compounds like "disc jockey."
"The radio jockey played nothing but requests all night."
verb
1
To maneuver skillfully for advantage, often in a competitive situation.
"The two candidates jockeyed for position ahead of the debate."
"Drivers jockeyed for the inside line before the first corner."
How to use jockey
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA professional horse-race rider, or — as a verb — to maneuver cleverly to gain an edge.
Common pairings
jockey for position
racehorse jockey
disc jockey
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Word forms
- Plural
- jockeys
- Third person singular
- jockeys
- Past tense
- jockeyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ guided her horse to a narrow win.
Etymology
Originally a diminutive of Jock (itself a Scots form of "John"), used generically for horse-dealers and riders from the 16th century onward.
Class of 1500
jockey joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for jockey
See all rhymes for 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.
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