drive
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for drive, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To operate and steer a motor vehicle.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use drive
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English drifan, "to force onward or move," an ancient Germanic verb.
Full origin of drive →Frequently asked questions
What does “drive” mean?
The word “drive” means to operate and steer a motor vehicle. In plain terms, to steer a vehicle, to push someone toward a goal, or (as a noun) either a car trip, personal ambition, or a computer storage device.
How do you pronounce “drive”?
“Drive” is pronounced dryv (/dɹaɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “drive” in a sentence?
Here is “drive” used in a sentence: “He learned to drive when he was seventeen.”
What part of speech is “drive”?
Depending on how it is used, “drive” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “drive” come from?
The word “drive” comes from Old English. From Old English drifan, "to force onward or move," an ancient Germanic verb.
Is “drive” a common word?
“Drive” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “drive” have?
“Drive” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to operate and steer a motor vehicle.
What is the difference between drive and ride?
You drive a vehicle when you are the one operating and steering it, such as a car, van, or lorry. You ride when you are a passenger, or when you sit astride something like a bicycle, motorbike, or horse. So a car's operator drives, while everyone else in the car rides, as does a cyclist.
What is the difference between drive and steer?
Steering is just one part of driving, turning the wheel to control direction. Driving is the whole task: steering plus accelerating, braking, changing gear, and watching the road. You steer a vehicle as part of the larger job of driving it. All driving involves steering, but steering alone is not driving.
Can drive mean something other than operating a vehicle?
Yes. Drive has many senses: to push or force something along ("drive cattle," "drive a nail"), to motivate ("ambition drives her"), to power a machine, and, as a noun, energy or determination. Most senses share the idea of forceful, purposeful movement, the same push behind steering a car forward.
What is the past tense of drive?
Drive is an irregular verb. The simple past is "drove," as in "she drove home," and the past participle is "driven," as in "she has driven for years." A common mistake is saying "have drove"; the correct form after has or have is always driven.