A1noun1K

Traffic

UK /["/ˈtræfɪk/"]/US /["/ˈtræfɪk/"]/

Definition

the vehicles that are on a road at a particular time

In simple words: The cars and vehicles that are on the road.

Examples

The traffic was so heavy that we were stuck for hours.
Be careful when crossing the street because the traffic can be dangerous.
I watched the traffic flow smoothly during the early morning hours.
There is always a lot of traffic during rush hour in the city.
The city installed new traffic lights to improve safety on the roads.

Usage notes

Used to refer to the flow of vehicles on roads. Usually appropriate in discussions about transportation or city planning but may be less suitable in very casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of a 'traffic jam'—imagine lots of cars stuck in one place.

Collocations

bad
bumper-to-bumper
busy
stream
generate
increase
cut
build up
thicken
grow
accident
fatality
hazard
the volume of traffic
bad
bumper-to-bumper
busy
stream
generate
increase
cut
build up
thicken
grow
accident
fatality
hazard
the volume of traffic
bad
bumper-to-bumper
busy
stream
generate
increase
cut
build up
thicken
grow
accident
fatality
hazard
the volume of traffic
radio
telephone
data
boost
build
generate
flow
grow
increase
pattern
load
capacity
illegal
arms
drug
traffic in something

Synonyms

congestion
vehicles
transportation

Antonyms

clear road
uninterrupted flow

Common mistakes

Confusing 'traffic' with 'trafficking', which has a different meaning.
'Traffic' as a mass noun when talking about one type, e.g., 'the traffic is heavy' instead of 'there are heavy traffics'.