thoroughbred
/ˈθʌrəbred/ (bre, ipa) · [θˈɚobrˈɛd] /ˈθɜːrəʊbred/ (ame, ipa) · [θˈɚobrˈɛd] /ˈthər-ə-ˌbred How to pronounce thoroughbred (audio) ˈthə-rə-/ (ame, mw)
thoroughbred — adjective
- thoroughbredpositive
- more thoroughbredcomparative
- most thoroughbredsuperlative
1. coming from a recorded line within one breed, especially in horses, and often su
coming from a recorded line within one breed, especially in horses, and often suggesting the quality linked with that background.
Sahil bought a thoroughbred colt from a farm near Lexington.
collocation: thoroughbred colt
The breeder keeps careful records to prove each foal is thoroughbred.
pattern: be + thoroughbred
Judges praised the mare's thoroughbred build and smooth, powerful stride.
Her family wanted a thoroughbred dog for the national obedience show.
- mixed-breed
describes an animal whose parents come from different breeds
- mongrel
older term, mainly for dogs of mixed ancestry
文法句型
thoroughbred + noun
be + thoroughbred
用法筆記
Usually describes animals whose ancestry has been carefully recorded. When used more loosely, it often praises the quality or bearing associated with that breeding rather than literally proving a bloodline.
thoroughbred — noun
1. a horse from the English breed that is raised mainly for speed and racing.
a horse from the English breed that is raised mainly for speed and racing.
Joaquin watched the young thoroughbred circle the track before sunrise.
young thoroughbred + racing scene
The stable sold its fastest thoroughbred to an owner in Dubai.
sell a thoroughbred
The trainer checked the thoroughbred's legs after the muddy race.
Crowds cheered as the thoroughbred pulled ahead on the final turn.
- cart horse
suggests a heavy working horse rather than a fast racing breed
文法句型
a thoroughbred + verb
the thoroughbred's + body part
用法筆記
This is the specific racing-breed meaning. Distinguish it from sense 2: sense 1 normally refers to horses and often appears in racing or sales contexts.
常見錯誤
2. an animal with a documented family line showing that its breed is not mixed.
an animal with a documented family line showing that its breed is not mixed.
Romi only breeds thoroughbreds that can be traced back for generations.
breed thoroughbreds
At the county fair, the judge separated thoroughbreds from mixed-breed goats.
thoroughbreds from mixed-breed animals
The rescue center rarely receives thoroughbreds because breeders keep close records.
Insurance for a valuable thoroughbred is higher than for other cattle.
- purebred
the most direct alternative in everyday animal-breeding talk
- pedigree animal
more explicit phrase that foregrounds the recorded bloodline
- mixed breed
describes an animal from more than one breed line
文法句型
a thoroughbred + animal noun
thoroughbreds + from/of + breed group
用法筆記
Broader than sense 1 because it can refer to other kinds of animals, not only horses. It is most common in breeding, show, and registration contexts.
3. a person whose manners, education, or skill show long and careful training.
a person whose manners, education, or skill show long and careful training.
At the embassy dinner, Hui seemed like a true thoroughbred in every conversation.
figurative: social thoroughbred
The academy hired a thoroughbred to train the younger violin students.
a thoroughbred in professional training
Rachid described his editor as a newsroom thoroughbred with exact standards.
When the debate began, Adina spoke like a political thoroughbred.
- professional
stresses skill and reliability more than breeding or polish
- expert
focuses on knowledge and skill, without the social tone
- gentleman
can overlap in older contexts when the stress is on breeding and manners
文法句型
a thoroughbred in + field
a social/political thoroughbred
用法筆記
A formal, often approving figurative use for someone who seems highly trained, refined, or naturally suited to an activity. It is much rarer than the animal senses.