# filly

/ˈfɪɫi/ (US) · /fˈɪli/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/filly
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a young female horse, usually under four years old. You use this word when talking about horses before they are fully grown.

For teachers: a young female horse, typically under the age of four. Often used in the context of horse racing or breeding to distinguish from a colt.

## Examples

- The young filly runs across the field with her mother.
- The breeder decided to keep the filly for future racing because of her impressive speed and lineage.
- In the world of professional horse racing, a talented filly may compete against her male counterparts in certain stakes races before reaching full maturity.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in equestrian and agricultural contexts; the term 'colt' is the male equivalent.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.