A1noun1K

Car

UK /["/kɑː(r)/"]/US /["/kɑːr/"]/

Definition

a road vehicle with an engine and four wheels that can carry a small number of passengers

In simple words: A vehicle with wheels used for transporting people.

Examples

  • I drive my car to work every day.
  • The car is parked in the garage.
  • He bought a new car last week.
  • The children love to ride in the car during trips.
  • Her car is very fast and stylish.

Usage notes

The word 'car' is used in everyday conversation about transportation. While it’s neutral, avoid using it in very formal texts where you might refer to 'automobile' instead.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'car' as 'c' for cool, 'a' for automobile, 'r' for ride.

Collocations

  • fast
  • new
  • diesel
  • drive
  • have
  • own
  • start
  • run on something
  • do something
  • alarm
  • boot
  • door
  • by car
  • in a/​the car
  • a brand of car
  • a make of car
  • a model of car
  • rail
  • railroad
  • railway
  • pull
  • rail
  • railroad
  • railway
  • pull

Synonyms

  • automobile
  • vehicle
  • motorcar
  • transport
  • wheels

Antonyms

  • foot
  • walk

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'cart' which is a smaller vehicle used to carry goods.
  • Using 'car' to refer to vehicles that are not cars, like trucks or buses.
  • Mispronouncing 'car' as 'care'.