Word
derry
Phoneticsder·ry
US/ˈdɛɹi/
UK/dˈɛɹi/
Definition
n. a word used in old songs that does not have a real meaning. It is often part of a repeating chorus like 'hey nonny derry'.
n. a meaningless word used as a refrain or chorus in traditional English songs and ballads.
Examples
“The singer ended each verse with a loud derry down.”
“Folk songs from the eighteenth century often featured nonsense syllables like derry to maintain the rhythm of the chorus.”
“While the lyrics of the ballad tell a tragic story, the repetitive derry refrain provides a rhythmic structure that allows the audience to join in during the performance.”
Examples
simple
“The singer ended each verse with a loud derry down.”
contextual
“Folk songs from the eighteenth century often featured nonsense syllables like derry to maintain the rhythm of the chorus.”
complex
“While the lyrics of the ballad tell a tragic story, the repetitive derry refrain provides a rhythmic structure that allows the audience to join in during the performance.”
Usage
Typically used in the context of music or poetry; often appears in the phrase 'derry down'.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/derry