filly

[ fil-ee ]

noun

, plural fil·lies.

1. a young female horse.
2. Informal. a girl or young woman.

filly

/ ˈfɪlɪ /

noun

1. a female horse or pony under the age of four
2. informal.
   a spirited girl or young woman

Word History and Origins

Origin of filly¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English fyly, from Old Norse fyla “female, foal”; foal

Word History and Origins

Origin of filly¹

C15: from Old Norse fylja ; related to Old High German fulihha ; see foal

Example Sentences

Saturday’s win helped both claim rare weekend sweeps of the Derby and Kentucky Oaks for fillies.

From Seattle Times

The party usually gets started well before the main event: On Friday, a crowd watched a race for fillies, the Kentucky Oaks.

From New York Times

The filly went wire to wire in the 150th Kentucky Oaks on Friday, pulling away from a charging Just F Y I to win by 4 3/4 lengths in the slop at Churchill Downs.

From Seattle Times

The owner later managed to get ahold of the two mares and filly and take them to Montana.

From Seattle Times

The zebras’ owner, Kristine Keltgen, found the fourth animal — a filly — and returned her to the trailer by Sunday evening, the report states.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• colt
• mare
• stallion