taxi

Short definition: The word taxi refers to a car used to carry passengers to a chosen destination in exchange for payment, usually driven by a licensed driver, available on demand in cities, and valued for convenience, flexibility, and door-to-door transportation.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word taxi? This word is extremely common in everyday English and is closely connected to urban travel and convenience. A taxi is a vehicle people use when they want a quick, direct ride without driving themselves. You’ll hear it in conversations about airports, city life, commuting, and late-night travel. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm and natural way, with enough detail to feel human and clear.

Forms: taxi, taxis, taxied, taxiing
Related: cab n., fare n., driver n.
Syllable: tax-i

1. (Noun) A car with a driver that people pay to take them to a destination.

   A taxi is a vehicle that provides paid transportation for passengers. It is driven by a professional driver and can usually be hired on the street, by phone, or through an app. Taxis are commonly used for short trips, airport transfers, and travel in busy cities. This is the most common and practical meaning of the word.

   She took a taxi home after the concert ended late.
   We caught a taxi outside the train station.
   The hotel staff helped us call a taxi to the airport.

   Synonyms: cab, taxicab, hired car, city cab, licensed taxi, street cab, passenger cab, paid ride, transport car, metered car, public hire vehicle, yellow cab
   Antonyms: private car, personal vehicle, bus, train, bicycle, walking, on foot, motorcycle, truck, family car, self-drive, personal transport

2. (Verb) To move slowly along the ground before takeoff or after landing, especially of an aircraft.

   To taxi means moving an airplane along the runway or ground under its own power. This happens before takeoff or after landing, not while flying. The term is mainly used in aviation and airport communication. This meaning is technical and context-specific.

   The plane began to taxi toward the runway.
   After landing, the aircraft taxied to the gate.
   Passengers waited while the plane slowly taxied into position.

   Synonyms: roll, move on the ground, ground-move, maneuver slowly, creep forward, runway move, surface travel, inch along, position on runway, ground travel, idle forward, slow roll
   Antonyms: take off, lift off, fly, land, hover, soar, become airborne, stop moving, park, remain still, shut down, halt