carby: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare (outside Australia/NZ)Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “carby” mean?
A colloquial Australian term for a barbecue, derived from shortening 'barbie' to 'carby', often used in a friendly, informal context.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A colloquial Australian term for a barbecue, derived from shortening 'barbie' to 'carby', often used in a friendly, informal context.
Refers specifically to the social event of grilling meat outdoors, often involving beer and casual company. Can also imply a state of being ready or prepared for such an event (e.g., 'getting the carby going').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Not used in British or American English. It is exclusively Australian/NZ slang.
Connotations
In its native context, it connotes mateship, leisure, and outdoor culture. Elsewhere, it would be incomprehensible.
Frequency
Zero frequency in UK/US corpora. Low-to-moderate frequency in specific Australian informal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “carby” in a Sentence
have/throw a carbyput [meat] on the carby[meat] is carby-ingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “carby” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Never used.
Everyday
Exclusively in Australian/NZ informal speech among friends/family.
Technical
Never used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “carby”
- Using it outside Australia/NZ and expecting to be understood.
- Spelling it 'carbie' (though this variant exists).
- Assuming it's related to 'carbon' or 'carburetor' in meaning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is purely Australian and New Zealand slang, not found in formal dictionaries.
It is a playful, further shortening of the already shortened Australian term 'barbie' (from barbecue).
No, it will not be understood. Use 'barbecue', 'BBQ', or (in the US) 'cookout' instead.
No, it is a coincidence of spelling. The meaning is exclusively related to an outdoor barbecue event.
A colloquial Australian term for a barbecue, derived from shortening 'barbie' to 'carby', often used in a friendly, informal context.
Carby is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Carby: in British English it is pronounced N/A, and in American English it is pronounced N/A. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As useful as a chocolate carby (humorous, implying something useless in the context).”
- “Don't come the raw prawn at my carby (idiomatic, meaning don't act foolishly at my event).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CAR driving to a BARB(B)Y - the 'B' gets lost on the way, leaving 'CARBY'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL GATHERING IS A FUEL/SOURCE OF ENERGY (from 'carburetor' association, though etymologically distinct).
Practice
Quiz
In which country are you most likely to hear the word 'carby' used correctly?