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Jaywalker: meaning, definitions and examples

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jaywalker

 

[ˈdʒeɪˌwɔːkər ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

urban

A person who crosses a street or road without regard for traffic regulations or signals.

Synonyms

crosser, pedestrian, unlawful walker.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
jaywalker

Used to describe someone who crosses the street illegally or recklessly, ignoring traffic signals and rules. This term often carries a negative connotation.

  • The police officer gave a ticket to the jaywalker.
pedestrian

A general term for someone who is walking, usually along a road or street. This word does not specifically relate to crossing the street.

  • The pedestrian walked along the sidewalk.
crosser

A neutral term referring to someone who crosses the street. It doesn't specify whether the crossing is legal or illegal.

  • The crosser waited for the light to turn green before crossing.
unlawful walker

A formal or legalistic term used to describe someone who crosses the street in a way that breaks the law. This term is rarely used in everyday conversation.

  • The court fined the unlawful walker for endangering himself and others.

Examples of usage

  • The city has been cracking down on jaywalkers in the downtown area.
  • The jaywalker was lucky to avoid getting hit by a car.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

A person who walks in a reckless or careless manner, often putting themselves or others in danger.

Synonyms

careless pedestrian, dangerous crosser, reckless walker.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
jaywalker

This word is commonly used to describe someone who crosses the street illegally or without following the traffic rules. It is typically used in everyday conversation and news reports.

  • The city is trying to reduce the number of jaywalkers by installing more crosswalks.
  • She got a ticket for being a jaywalker.
reckless walker

This term refers to someone who walks in a way that is very careless and could endanger themselves or others. It has a negative connotation and is used in discussions about pedestrian safety.

  • Reckless walkers often ignore traffic signals, putting themselves and others at risk.
  • The city launched a campaign to address the issue of reckless walkers.
careless pedestrian

This term refers to a pedestrian who is not paying attention or is otherwise being irresponsible while walking. It's used when emphasizing a lack of attention or caution, often in safety discussions.

  • A careless pedestrian walked into traffic without looking both ways.
  • Drivers need to stay alert for careless pedestrians, especially in crowded areas.
dangerous crosser

This phrase is used to highlight the potential danger posed by someone crossing the street recklessly. It's often used in more formal or cautionary contexts.

  • The increase in dangerous crossers has prompted the city to enhance its pedestrian safety measures.
  • Parents were warned about dangerous crossers in the school zone.

Examples of usage

  • He's such a jaywalker, always bumping into things.
  • Don't be a jaywalker and pay attention to where you're going.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term 'jaywalker' originated in America in the early 20th century and combined 'jay' (a foolish person) and 'walker' (one who walks).
  • Initially, it referred to someone walking awkwardly or inelegantly, but evolved to describe unsafe street crossing.
  • The rise of automobiles in the 1920s highlighted pedestrian safety, making the term more relevant.

Traffic Safety

  • Crosswalks and pedestrian signals are designed to reduce accidents and emphasize safe crossing practices.
  • In the U.S., about 6,000 pedestrians are killed each year due to traffic incidents, underscoring the importance of safety for walkers.
  • Education on jaywalking laws is crucial for reducing risks in urban environments, where dense traffic is common.

Cultural Impact

  • In film and literature, jaywalking is often portrayed as rebellious or careless behavior, reflecting broader themes of individuality versus social order.
  • Public service campaigns have used humor and shock value to discourage jaywalking, proving that engagement can reform attitudes.
  • In different cultures, the acceptability of jaywalking varies, with some societies maintaining strict pedestrian rules and others showing more leniency.

Psychology

  • Studies indicate that pedestrians often underestimate the dangers of jaywalking, affected by overconfidence in their ability to judge traffic.
  • Environmental factors, such as poor visibility or insufficient signage, can increase the likelihood of people choosing to jaywalk.
  • Peer influence can also play a role; in crowded locations, individuals may fall into the behavior of skipping crosswalks because 'everyone else is doing it.'

Legal Aspects

  • Jaywalking can result in fines in many cities, with legislation aimed at promoting safer walking practices.
  • Some urban areas view strict enforcement as a way to encourage responsible behavior and reduce pedestrian injuries.
  • Legal definitions of jaywalking differ worldwide, affecting how strictly it is governed and enforced.

Translations

Translations of the word "jaywalker" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pedestre imprudente

🇮🇳 सड़क पार करने वाला पैदल यात्री

🇩🇪 unachtsamer Fußgänger

🇮🇩 pejalan kaki yang melanggar aturan

🇺🇦 пішохід-порушник

🇵🇱 nieostrożny pieszy

🇯🇵 信号無視の歩行者

🇫🇷 piéton imprudent

🇪🇸 peatón imprudente

🇹🇷 dikkatsiz yaya

🇰🇷 무단횡단하는 보행자

🇸🇦 مشاة متهور

🇨🇿 neopatrný chodec

🇸🇰 neopatrný chodec

🇨🇳 乱穿马路的行人

🇸🇮 neprevidni pešec

🇮🇸 óvarkár gangandi

🇰🇿 сақсыз жүргінші

🇬🇪 გაუფრთხილებელი ქვეითი

🇦🇿 ehtiyatsız piyadalar

🇲🇽 peatón imprudente

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,974, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.