What is cab? Pronunciation and usage in English

cab means . Learn how to pronounce and use cab through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of cab

cabnoun

/kæb//kæb/
Definition & pronunciation of cab

The word "cab" is pronounced "kab".

It's a short, simple vowel sound, like the "a" in "cat."

Here's a breakdown:

  • k - as in "kite"
  • a - as in "father"
  • b - as in "ball"

You can hear it spoken correctly on many online dictionaries, like:

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Usage and examples with the word cab in English

Let's break down how to use the word "cab" in English. It has a couple of main meanings and usages!

1. As a Short Form for "Taxi" (Most Common)

  • Meaning: "Cab" is a very common, informal shortening of "taxi." It’s frequently used in spoken English and sometimes in informal writing.
  • Usage:
    • "I need to call a cab to the airport." (Same as "taxi")
    • "We took a cab downtown." (Same as "taxi")
    • "The cab was really expensive!" (Same as "taxi")
  • Tone: It's generally quite casual.

2. As a Vehicle - A Horse-Drawn Carriage

  • Meaning: This is the older, more historical meaning. A "cab" refers to a horse-drawn carriage, usually used for carrying passengers.
  • Usage:
    • "He rode in a cab through the city streets." (Imagine a Victorian-era carriage)
    • "The wealthy often used cabs for their journeys."
  • Context: You'll primarily hear this usage in historical fiction, travel writing about old cities, or when discussing vintage transportation. It's much less common in everyday conversation.

3. As a Verb (Less Common)

  • Meaning: To hail or call a taxi.
  • Usage:
    • "I cabbed a taxi when I missed my bus." (Meaning "I called a taxi")
    • "She cabbied over to the station." (Meaning "She hailed a taxi")

Here's a table to summarize:

Meaning Usage Example Context Formality
Taxi (Short Form) "Let's cab to the show." Everyday Speech Casual
Horse-Drawn Carriage "They rode in a cab." Historical/Travel Formal/Archaic
To Hail a Taxi "I cabbed a taxi." Verbal Action Informal

Resources to Learn More:

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  • Help you understand how the meaning of “cab” has changed over time?

Synonyms for the word cab

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