C1noun3K

Toll

UK /["/təʊl/"]/US /["/təʊl/"]/

Definition

money that you pay to use a particular road or bridge

In simple words: A fee you pay for using a road or bridge.

Examples

  • motorway tolls
  • a **toll bridge**
  • the possibility of imposing tolls on some motorways
  • the war’s growing casualty toll
  • Every hour, the news bulletin reported the mounting toll of casualties.
  • Illness had taken a heavy toll on her.
  • The recession is taking its toll on the housing markets.
  • The pressure of fame can take a terrible toll.

Usage notes

Used when discussing fees for highways or bridges; not typically used in informal conversations about other types of fees.

Grammar pattern

toll + object

Memory hint

Think of 'toll' as a 'toll-booth' where you pay a fee.

Collocations

  • highway
  • motorway
  • road
  • charge
  • collect
  • exact
  • bridge
  • highway
  • motorway
  • devastating
  • enormous
  • great
  • exact
  • take
  • estimate
  • mount
  • rise
  • reach something
  • toll on
  • bring the toll to
  • put the toll at

Synonyms

  • fee
  • charge
  • levy
  • payment

Antonyms

  • refund
  • reimbursement

Common mistakes

  • Confusing with 'towel' due to similar sounds.
  • Using 'toll' in contexts other than road fees.
  • Incorrectly using 'toll' as a verb instead of a noun.