derby
derby — noun
- derbysingular
- derbiesplural
1. A game played between two local teams who come from the same city or district, o
A game played between two local teams who come from the same city or district, often creating strong rivalry between their supporters.
The Manchester derby between United and City is always a thrilling match to watch.
the [place] derby — two teams from one city
Noor's family goes to the local derby every year when the two city schools play.
local derby — teams from same area
Diya watched the derby on television with her grandfather, who supports the home team.
This weekend's derby will decide which club finishes at the top of the league.
- local match
less specific; any match between local sides
- rivalry game
emphasises the historical tension between the two teams
文法句型
the [place name] derby
derby between [team A] and [team B]
用法筆記
Often combined with a place name, e.g. "the Milan derby" or "the North London derby". A derby match is usually more intense than a regular league game because of the local rivalry.
常見錯誤
2. A well-known horse competition that happens once a year, where the horses taking
A well-known horse competition that happens once a year, where the horses taking part are almost always three years old.
The Kentucky Derby is held every May and attracts visitors from all over the world.
proper noun: Kentucky Derby — specific annual race
Eli's uncle has been training horses for the derby for more than twenty years.
Charlotte placed a small bet on a horse called Silver Star in last year's derby.
Winning the derby is the biggest prize a young horse can achieve in racing.
- horse race
general term, not restricted to three-year-olds
- thoroughbred race
specifies the breed of horse
文法句型
the [Name] Derby
用法筆記
Capitalised when referring to a specific named race (e.g. the Epsom Derby, the Kentucky Derby). The word derby is also used generically in this sense for any similar annual horse race.
3. A competition or contest that any person or team can enter, not limited to profe
A competition or contest that any person or team can enter, not limited to professionals.
The town holds an annual fishing derby on the lake where anyone can join.
annual [activity] derby — open to all entrants
Ramón won a small trophy in the bowling derby at the community centre last month.
Hao entered a skateboarding derby at the park and faced riders from four cities.
The derby attracted more than two hundred contestants from across the region.
- open competition
emphasises that anyone can enter
- open contest
same meaning, slightly more formal
文法句型
[activity] derby
用法筆記
The activity name usually comes before "derby", e.g. "fishing derby", "roller derby", "bicycle derby". This sense contrasts with sense 1 by emphasising open entry rather than local rivalry.
4. A stiff, round hat with a narrow curved brim, usually black, worn by men, especi
A stiff, round hat with a narrow curved brim, usually black, worn by men, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In old photographs, businessmen walking through London often wore a black derby with their suits.
historical men's fashion: derby hat
Christopher found his grandfather's old derby hat in a wooden box in the attic.
The actor wore a grey derby hat for his costume in a drama set in the 1890s.
Derby hats are still worn today in some traditional horse-riding events in England.
- bowler hat
the more common name in British English; 'derby' is more common in American English
用法筆記
Also called a "bowler hat" in British English. This style of hat was most popular from the 1880s to the 1930s and is now mainly seen in historical settings or formal riding events.