Words / B2

MOHT-uh-rist/ˈməʊtərɪst/

A motorist is a person who drives a car: target motorists; a motorist was fined. Driver is everyday; motor is the engine (already in the dictionary). The leaflet targets motorists, not bus passengers. Mix-up: motorway is a major road (already in the dictionary); pedestrian is a walker. Do not call a bus passenger a motorist.

Meaning

A person who drives a car.

Examples

• “The campaign targets motorists, not bus passengers, in the leaflet.”
• “A motorist ignored the cycle lane, which is the driver sense.”

Good to know

a motorist; motorists. Everyday: driver. Contrast: pedestrian / passenger. Trap: motorway. Geography, citizenship, and news. Car driver, not the road.

Near in meaning

driver

New