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traffic

traf·fic

traffic

 
 
pronunciation:
trae fihk
parts of speech:
noun, verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word History, Word Builder, Word Explorer
part of speech: noun
definition 1: the movement of people or vehicles along a sidewalk, road, or other route of travel.
There is always a lot of traffic into the city in the mornings.
similar words:
movement, passage, transit, transport, transportation
definition 2: the pedestrians and vehicles that move along such routes.
Traffic always moves very slowly through this tunnel.
 
similar words:
drivers, travelers
definition 3: buying and selling; trade.
They work to stop the illegal traffic of stolen jewelry.
synonyms:
trade
similar words:
business, commerce, congress, running, smuggling
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: verb
inflections: traffics, trafficking, trafficked
definition: to buy or sell, especially something that is illegal.
The criminals were caught trafficking in drugs.
synonyms:
deal
similar words:
bargain, barter, buy, exchange, hustle, peddle, sell, smuggle
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: trafficless (adj.), trafficker (n.)
Word History
Traffic comes from an Italian word that means "to carry on trade." By 1825, the word "traffic" was being used for people or vehicles coming and going along a road.
Word Builder: traffic +
  • traffic cop:
    a police officer whose job is to direct traffic.
  • traffic jam:
    a large number of vehicles in a road that causes traffic to slow or stop.
  • traffic light:
    a box with three lights near a road. The red light means vehicles must stay in place. The yellow light means vehicles must stop. The green light means vehicles may move forward.
Word Explorer
See
  city