pedestrian
puh-DEHST-ree-uhn
Pedestrian (noun) means a person who is walking, especially as distinct from someone driving or riding. Example: “The crosswalk light turns green to let pedestrians cross safely.”
noun
1
A person who is walking, especially as distinct from someone driving or riding.
"The crosswalk light turns green to let pedestrians cross safely."
"A pedestrian stepped off the kerb without looking, and the cyclist braked hard."
"Drivers must slow down for any pedestrian waiting at the zebra crossing."
adj
1
Ordinary and unremarkable; dull.
"The film's plot felt pedestrian compared to the director's earlier work."
"The food was perfectly pedestrian, nothing you would remember the next day."
"His writing style is rather pedestrian and lacks any real spark."
2
Designed for or relating to people walking.
"The city closed the street to cars and made it a pedestrian zone."
"A new pedestrian bridge now links the park with the town centre."
"The shopping street has pedestrian access only, so there is no traffic noise."
How to use pedestrian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs a noun, someone walking (not driving); as an adjective, either "for walkers" or, more figuratively, "boring and unoriginal."
Common mistake
The adjective sense meaning "dull" can surprise learners who only know the "walker" sense — context makes clear which is meant.
Common pairings
pedestrian crossing
pedestrian zone
pedestrian prose
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Word forms
- Plural
- pedestrians
- Comparative
- more pedestrian
- Superlative
- most pedestrian
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The crosswalk light turns green to let _____ cross safely.
Etymology
From Latin pedester, "on foot," related to pes/ped-, "foot," plus the adjective-forming suffix "-an."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for pedestrian
See all rhymes for pedestrian →Frequently asked questions
What does “pedestrian” mean?
The word “pedestrian” means a person who is walking, especially as distinct from someone driving or riding. In plain terms, as a noun, someone walking (not driving); as an adjective, either "for walkers" or, more figuratively, "boring and unoriginal.".
How do you pronounce “pedestrian”?
“Pedestrian” is pronounced puh-DEHST-ree-uhn (/pəˈdɛstɹiən/ in IPA).
How do you use “pedestrian” in a sentence?
Here is “pedestrian” used in a sentence: “The crosswalk light turns green to let pedestrians cross safely.”
What part of speech is “pedestrian”?
Depending on how it is used, “pedestrian” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “pedestrian” come from?
The word “pedestrian” comes from Latin. From Latin pedester, "on foot," related to pes/ped-, "foot," plus the adjective-forming suffix "-an.".
Is “pedestrian” a common word?
“Pedestrian” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “pedestrian” have?
“Pedestrian” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who is walking, especially as distinct from someone driving or riding.
What is the difference between a pedestrian and a driver?
A pedestrian is a person who is walking, while a driver operates a vehicle such as a car. The distinction matters for traffic rules, road design, and safety regulations that treat walkers and vehicle operators differently.
What does it mean to describe something as pedestrian in a non-walking sense?
When used as an adjective outside the context of walking, pedestrian describes something ordinary, unremarkable, or dull, such as pedestrian writing or a pedestrian performance. This figurative sense contrasts with the word's literal meaning related to walking.
What is a pedestrian crossing?
A pedestrian crossing is a place designed for people walking to safely cross a road, reflecting the adjective sense of pedestrian meaning designed for or relating to people walking. It is distinct from areas meant primarily for vehicle traffic.
