Word
derail
Phoneticsde·rail, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈɹeɪɫ/
UK/dɪɹˈeɪl/
Definitions
01train coming off tracks
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to come off the tracks, or to cause a train to do so.
v. to cause a locomotive or train to leave the rails; also used intransitively for the event itself.
“The heavy snow managed to derail the freight train just outside the city.”
“Investigators are still trying to determine whether the faulty switch was enough to derail the locomotive at such a low speed.”
02to ruin a plan
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to stop a process or plan from working by causing a sudden problem.
v. to obstruct or divert a process, plan, or project from its intended course.
“A sudden lack of funding threatened to derail the entire research project.”
“The scandal threatened to derail the senator's re-election campaign just weeks before the final vote.”
Antonyms
03to divert a conversation
C1 · Advanced Informal
v. to change the subject of a discussion so that the original point is ignored.
v. to divert a conversation or debate from its original topic, often intentionally.
“He tried to derail the meeting by bringing up old arguments about the budget.”
“The moderator struggled to keep the debate on track as the candidates repeatedly tried to derail the discussion with personal attacks.”
Synonyms
04a disruption
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic
n. an instance where a conversation or plan is pushed off its path.
n. the act or an instance of diverting a process or discussion from its intended goal.
“The sudden derail of the peace talks surprised the international community.”
“The committee noted that the derail of the original proposal was due to a lack of clear communication between departments.”
Synonyms
Usage
The verb is transitive when used figuratively to mean 'to ruin a plan'.
Pitfall
The scandal derailed from the campaign
The scandal derailed the campaign
When used figuratively to mean 'to ruin', the verb is transitive and should not be followed by 'from'.
Real-World Examples
“The 14:24 service from London Victoria to Eastbourne derailed in the Landport area of Lewes at about 15:54 BST.” “Image caption, A train has derailed in Essex "less than 24 hours after 20 people were injured in a a similar accident.” Etymology
From French dérailler (“to go off the rails”). Analyzable as de- + rail.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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