# Kentucky

/kənˈtəki/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kentucky
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. US state

noun · CEFR B1

a state in the southeastern United States, famous for its green grass, horse racing, and bourbon whiskey.

For teachers: a state located in the East Central United States, officially known as the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

- The family drove through Kentucky to see the famous horse farms.
- Kentucky is often associated with the Appalachian Mountains in the east and the fertile Bluegrass region in the central part of the state.

### 2. KFC

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Dialect

a common way people in Singapore refer to the fast-food restaurant KFC.

For teachers: a colloquial metonym used in Singaporean English to refer to the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant chain.

- Do you want to go to Kentucky for dinner tonight?
- In local Singaporean parlance, 'Kentucky' serves as a shorthand for the ubiquitous fried chicken franchise found in many shopping malls.

Teaching tip: This usage is specific to Singapore; in most other English-speaking regions, people simply say 'KFC'.

## Examples

- Kentucky is famous for its fast horses.
- Many tourists visit Kentucky every May to watch the famous horse race held in Louisville.
- The geological diversity of Kentucky ranges from the rugged coalfields of the east to the fertile bluegrass plains that support the state's historic thoroughbred industry.

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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.