filly

noun

fil·​ly ˈfi-lē How to pronounce filly (audio)
plural fillies
Synonyms of fillynext
1
: a young female horse usually of less than four years
2
: a young woman : girl

Synonyms of filly

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Examples of filly in a Sentence

she's still a filly, so she has plenty of time to decide what she wants to do in life
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Later, three-year-old fillies take center stage in the Grade 3 Lake George Stakes on the inner turf course before the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes headlines the card. — Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Thoroughbred filly Counting Stars delivered a stellar performance, winning the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga in 2026. — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 The $400,000 Hirsch has drawn nominations from 13 fillies and mares, with the 1 1/16-mile winner also earning an automatic spot in the field for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026 This day in sports history 1946 — Two-year-old fillies Chakoora and Uleta become the first thoroughbreds to complete a transcontinental flight. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for filly

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fyly, from Old Norse fylja; akin to Old English fola foal

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of filly was in the 15th century

Rhymes for filly

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Browse Nearby Words

fill-up
filly
film
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Cite this Entry

“Filly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/filly. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

filly

noun
fil·​ly ˈfil-ē How to pronounce filly (audio)
plural fillies
: a young female horse usually less than four years old

More from Merriam-Webster on filly

Nglish: Translation of filly for Spanish Speakers

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