noun
Uncommon
oaks
Oaks (noun) means a famous horse race for three-year-old fillies, run each year at Epsom in England. Example: “She placed a small bet on the favourite to win the Oaks.”
noun
1
A famous horse race for three-year-old fillies, run each year at Epsom in England.
"She placed a small bet on the favourite to win the Oaks."
How to use oaks
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA classic British horse race reserved for young female horses.
Memory tip
Usually capitalized as "the Oaks" when referring to the specific race.
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She placed a small bet on the favourite to win the _____.
Etymology
Named after the Oaks estate near Epsom, England, where the race was first run in the 18th century.
Class of 1700
oaks joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Frequently asked questions
What does “oaks” mean?
The word “oaks” means a famous horse race for three-year-old fillies, run each year at Epsom in England. In plain terms, a classic British horse race reserved for young female horses.
How do you use “oaks” in a sentence?
Here is “oaks” used in a sentence: “She placed a small bet on the favourite to win the Oaks.”
What part of speech is “oaks”?
“Oaks” is a noun.
Where does the word “oaks” come from?
The word “oaks” dates back to around 1700. Named after the Oaks estate near Epsom, England, where the race was first run in the 18th century.
Is “oaks” a common word?
“Oaks” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the Oaks horse race?
The Oaks is a famous horse race for three-year-old fillies, run each year at Epsom in England. It is one of the classic British flat races and is restricted to female horses only.
What is the difference between the Oaks and the Derby?
Both races are run at Epsom, but the Derby is open to three-year-old colts and fillies, while the Oaks is restricted specifically to three-year-old fillies. The Oaks is often seen as the female counterpart to the Derby.
Why is it called 'the Oaks'?
The race takes its name from Epsom, where it has been run as a fixture for three-year-old fillies. As a proper noun referring to this specific event, Oaks is capitalized when used in this sense.
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