Jaywalker: meaning, definitions and examples
🚶♂️
jaywalker
[ ˈdʒeɪˌwɔːkər ]
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?
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| crosser |
A neutral term referring to someone who crosses the street. It doesn't specify whether the crossing is legal or illegal.
|
| 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.
|
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.
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?
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
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.
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
Etymology
The term 'jaywalker' originated in the early 20th century in the United States. It was originally used to describe someone from the countryside or a 'jay' who was unfamiliar with the ways of the city and would walk in a naive or careless manner, often obstructing traffic. Over time, the term evolved to specifically refer to pedestrians who cross streets unlawfully or in a reckless manner.
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.