derby

derby — noun

1. a football or rugby match played by two sides that come from the same city or re

1.名詞B1
釋義

a football or rugby match played by two sides that come from the same city or region, often treated as the most important game of the season by supporters.

例句

Kevin and his dad went to watch the north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham.

derby between [team A] and [team B]

The Manchester derby always draws a huge crowd to the stadium.

the + city name + derby

同義詞
  • local derby

    emphasises the geographic proximity of the two teams

  • local match

    more general; derby carries stronger rivalry connotations

  • rivalry match

    broader; can refer to any two rival teams, not just local ones

文法句型

the [city name] derby

[city name] + derby between [teams]

用法筆記

Commonly used in British English for football and rugby matches. The specific name usually follows the pattern 'the [city name] derby' (e.g., 'the Milan derby', 'the Merseyside derby'). Distinguish from sense 3: a local derby is between specific rival teams; an open derby allows any participant.

常見錯誤

❌The derby between Liverpool and Manchester is called the Merseyside derby.
✅The derby between Liverpool and Everton is called the Merseyside derby.
💡Merseyside is the region containing Liverpool; the local derby involves teams from the same city, not just any two nearby cities.

2. an important horse race that takes place every year and is open only to horses t

2.名詞B1
釋義

an important horse race that takes place every year and is open only to horses that are three years old.

例句

The Kentucky Derby is the most famous horse race in the United States.

the [Name] Derby — capitalised proper name

Niran watched the derby on television with his grandfather and uncle.

同義詞
  • race

    generic term; derby implies an annual, prestigious event

  • thoroughbred race

    more specific; derby races typically feature thoroughbreds

文法句型

the [Name] Derby

Derby + [noun]

用法筆記

When referring to a specific named race, 'Derby' is usually capitalised (e.g., 'the Kentucky Derby', 'the Epsom Derby'). The word alone ('the Derby') often refers to the original Epsom Derby in England. Only sense 2 involves horses and an age restriction.

常見錯誤

❌The Kentucky Derby is open to all horses.
✅The Kentucky Derby is open only to three-year-old horses.
💡Age restrictions are a defining feature of a classic derby race.

3. a contest or competition that anyone can join, without needing special qualifica

3.名詞B2
釋義

a contest or competition that anyone can join, without needing special qualifications or an invitation.

例句

The fishing derby on the lake is open to children and adults alike.

fishing derby — noun + derby compound

Amira entered the local baking derby and won second place with her apple pie.

同義詞
  • open competition

    more formal; derby has a more casual, community feel

  • contest

    broader; derby often implies a public, amateur event

  • tournament

    usually implies multiple elimination rounds; derby can be a single event

反義詞

文法句型

[noun] + derby

用法筆記

This sense is especially common in American English, where 'derby' follows a noun describing the activity (fishing derby, baking derby, soapbox derby). Unlike sense 1, the focus is on open entry, not local rivalry. Unlike sense 2, no horse racing or age restrictions apply.

常見錯誤

❌I joined a derby competition for professional chefs only.
✅I joined an open cooking derby that anyone could enter.
💡Sense 3 specifically means the contest is open to all, not restricted.

4. a hard hat with a round top and a narrow, curved brim, usually black, that was c

4.名詞B2
釋義

a hard hat with a round top and a narrow, curved brim, usually black, that was commonly worn by men in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

例句

The old man tipped his derby hat politely as he walked past the group.

derby hat — common name for this hat style

Jenna found an old black derby in a box in her grandfather's closet.

同義詞
  • bowler hat

    the British English term for the same hat

  • bowler

    short form of bowler hat, used in British English

文法句型

derby hat

a derby

用法筆記

Called a 'bowler hat' in British English and a 'derby' or 'derby hat' in American English. This sense is now old-fashioned in daily wear but appears in historical descriptions and period films.