passenger

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A person who is traveling in a vehicle but is not driving or operating it.

   Grammar: Countable: use 'a passenger' or 'passengers'. The driver is not a passenger.

   Patterns

   • a passenger in something
   • a passenger on something
   • carry passengers
   • a passenger seat

   The bus was full, and every passenger had to stand.

   She was the only passenger in the taxi.

   Passengers on the flight were asked to fasten their seat belts.

2. 2nouncountableBritishinformaldisapproving

   A team member who does not contribute much and relies on others.

   Grammar: Often used in British English, especially in sports or work contexts.

   Patterns

   • be a passenger in something
   • be a passenger on the team

   He was a passenger in the project and let others do all the work.

   The coach criticized him for being a passenger on the field.

Word forms

Common combinations

passenger seat

I always sit in the passenger seat when my friend drives.

passenger train

The passenger train was delayed by an hour.

passenger list

The airline checked the passenger list before boarding.

carry passengers

This small plane can carry up to ten passengers.

passenger door

Please close the passenger door gently.

Synonyms and how they differ

traveler

A more general word for someone who travels, not necessarily in a vehicle; 'passenger' specifically means someone in a vehicle who is not driving.

rider

Used for someone on a bicycle, motorcycle, or public transportation; 'passenger' is more common for cars, buses, trains, and planes.

commuter

A person who regularly travels to work; a commuter is often a passenger, but a passenger may be traveling for any reason.

Opposites

Word family

passenger adjective

Used before a noun, as in 'passenger plane' or 'passenger service'.

Commonly confused: passenger or passerby?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “passenger”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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