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racing car

British and Commonwealth English term for what Americans call a 'race car' -- a vehicle specifically built or modified for competitive racing.

ˈɹeɪsɪŋ ˈkɑɹCurrent158 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
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UK
#1·Apr 28, 2026UK

British and Commonwealth English term for what Americans call a 'race car' -- a vehicle specifically built or modified for competitive racing. The word-order difference (racing car vs. race car) reflects a broader pattern in British English noun modification. The term is standard rather than slangy, but regionally distinctive enough that it immediately marks the speaker as British or Commonwealth-educated to American ears.

He had a toy racing car collection that took up an entire shelf in his bedroom.
Origin: Editorial expansion authored on Slangora (model-assisted, hedged).
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

(UK, automotive, motor racing) A race car.

For parents

Racing car means: A race car.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up. For most families this word will pass by without incident; it is more a vocabulary curiosity than a parenting concern.

For ESL learners

racing car means: A race car.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.

Cluster: identity
Heard in the wild
  • “Once you see this, you can't unsee it 🧱 LEGO Technic Bugatti Bolide Racing Car Building 👉 See it on Amazon → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BBWG5T23?tag=choosetoshop-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1 🔔 Follow — I post the best LEGO sets on Amazon daily. #LEGO #LEGOFans #giftideas #ad”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “VW Golf R 24H show car provides first glimpse of future racing car - girlracer.co.uk #motorsport #vw #girlracer”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang

UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.

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