derailer
derailer Lexical Profile
derailer Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person, event, or personality flaw that disrupts, obstructs, or diverts a conversation, project, or career from its intended course.
"In leadership assessments, an inability to listen to feedback is frequently cited as a major career derailer."
A mechanical safety device attached to a railway track, designed to intentionally guide unauthorized or runaway rolling stock off the rails to prevent a collision.
"The railyard crew installed a portable derailer on the siding to protect the maintenance workers further down the line."
A bicycle gear-shifting mechanism that moves the drive chain from one sprocket to another; a less common variant spelling of derailleur.
"He adjusted the rear derailer so the bicycle chain would shift smoothly before the steep mountain climb."
Word Nuance & Usage
In cycling, the French-borrowed spelling "derailleur" is overwhelmingly preferred in standard English, whereas "derailer" is more commonly used for railway track devices or someone who disrupts a plan or conversation.
• Rhymes for derailer
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.