commute
kuh-MYOOT
Commute (verb) means to travel regularly between home and one's place of work or study. Example: “She commutes into the city every day by train.”
verb
1
To travel regularly between home and one's place of work or study.
"She commutes into the city every day by train."
"He decided to move closer to work so he wouldn't have to commute as far."
2
To reduce a legal penalty or sentence to something less severe.
"The governor commuted his death sentence to life in prison."
noun
1
The regular journey between home and work.
"My commute takes almost an hour each way."
How to use commute
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo travel back and forth to work regularly, or (in law) to reduce a punishment.
Common pairings
daily commute
commute to work
commute a sentence
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Word forms
- Plural
- commutes
- Third person singular
- commutes
- Past tense
- commuted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ into the city every day by train.
Etymology
From Latin commutare ("to change altogether, exchange"), from com- + mutare ("to change").
Related words
Rhymes for commute
See all rhymes for commute →Frequently asked questions
What does “commute” mean?
The word “commute” means to travel regularly between home and one's place of work or study. In plain terms, to travel back and forth to work regularly, or (in law) to reduce a punishment.
How do you pronounce “commute”?
“Commute” is pronounced kuh-MYOOT (/kəˈmjut/ in IPA).
How do you use “commute” in a sentence?
Here is “commute” used in a sentence: “She commutes into the city every day by train.”
What part of speech is “commute”?
Depending on how it is used, “commute” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “commute” come from?
The word “commute” comes from Latin. From Latin commutare ("to change altogether, exchange"), from com- + mutare ("to change").
Is “commute” a common word?
“Commute” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “commute” have?
“Commute” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to travel regularly between home and one's place of work or study.
What is the difference between commute and travel?
Commute specifically means to make a regular journey between home and one's place of work or study, while travel is a general term for going anywhere, regular or not. A commute is repeated and routine, whereas travel can describe a one-time trip of any kind.
What is the difference between commuting and a road trip or vacation travel?
Commuting refers to the routine back-and-forth journey people make for work or study, while a road trip or vacation trip is typically a one-off, leisure-oriented journey. The key distinction is regularity and purpose, not distance or mode of transport.
What does it mean to commute a sentence?
To commute a sentence means to reduce a legal penalty to something less severe, such as changing a death sentence to life imprisonment. This meaning is unrelated to travel and is used specifically in legal contexts.
