English Lexicon

Traffic

/ˈtræf.ɪk/
nounverbCEFR B1 (Intermediate)Top #850 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The movement of vehicles and pedestrians along roads.

    "The traffic was heavy during rush hour."
  2. 2

    The commercial activity of buying and selling goods.

    "The traffic of goods increased significantly during the holiday season."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Old Italian 'trafficare', meaning to trade or carry on commerce, which likely stems from Vulgar Latin elements combining 'trans-' (across) and a root related to action or making. By the late 16th century in English, the term shifted from denoting commercial trade and movement of goods to describing the movement of pedestrians, vehicles, and ships along routes.

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