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traf·fic

traffic

 
 
pronunciation:
trae fihk
parts of speech:
noun, intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word History, Word Builder, Word Explorer
part of speech: noun
definition 1: the movement of vehicles or pedestrians along a road, path, river, or other route of travel.
The canal allows both passenger and freight traffic.Shopkeepers' income has surged due to increased pedestrian traffic in recent months.
synonyms:
travel
similar words:
conveyance, movement, passage, transit, transport, transportation
definition 2: the pedestrians and vehicles collectively that move along transportation routes.
There is always a great deal of traffic at this time in the morning.Traffic moves very fast until everyone has to enter the tunnel.If we go the other way, we can avoid the traffic downtown.
 
similar words:
drivers, motorists, travelers
definition 3: trade, esp. when illegal.
drug traffic
synonyms:
dealings, trade
similar words:
bootlegging, business, commerce, congress, running, smuggling, truck
definition 4: trade between different nations.
synonyms:
commerce, trade
similar words:
business, buying, congress, dealings, exchange, selling, transactions
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: traffics, trafficking, trafficked
definition 1: to carry on trade or commerce.
synonyms:
deal, trade
similar words:
bargain, barter, buy, exchange, sell
definition 2: to deal in a specific commodity, esp. illegal items.
They were arrested for trafficking in drugs.
synonyms:
deal, trade
similar words:
bargain, barter, bootleg, 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