# drive

/ˈdɹaɪv/ (US) · /dɹˈaɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/drive
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. to operate a vehicle

verb · CEFR A1

to control and move a car, bus, or truck.

For teachers: to operate and control the direction and speed of a motor vehicle.

- She learned to drive a car when she was seventeen years old.
- He drives a heavy goods vehicle across the continent, often spending several consecutive days on the road.

### 2. to force or push

verb · CEFR B1

to force someone or something to move in a certain direction.

For teachers: to compel or urge something to move forward through physical force or social pressure.

- The strong winds drive the waves against the shore.
- The shepherd used a trained dog to drive the flock toward the lower pastures before the storm arrived.

### 3. to make someone crazy or upset

verb · CEFR B1

to cause someone to be in a specific state, usually an annoyed or crazy one.

For teachers: to force someone into a particular state of mind or emotion, typically a negative one.

- That loud clicking noise is going to drive me crazy.
- The constant interruptions from his colleagues began to drive him to the point of total frustration.

### 4. a trip in a car

noun · CEFR A2

a journey you take by car.

For teachers: an excursion or journey made in a motor vehicle.

- We went for a long drive in the countryside last Sunday.
- The scenic drive along the coast took much longer than anticipated due to the winding roads and frequent photo stops.

### 5. ambition and energy

noun · CEFR B2

the energy and determination to achieve something.

For teachers: an internal motivation or psychological urge to attain a goal.

- She has the drive and talent to become a successful CEO.
- The recruiters were looking for candidates who possessed both technical expertise and the personal drive to innovate under pressure.

### 6. a private road

noun · CEFR B1

a short private road that leads from a street to a house.

For teachers: a private road or path providing access from a public thoroughfare to a residence or building.

- You can park your car on the drive in front of the garage.
- The gravel drive was lined with ancient oak trees that cast long shadows across the lawn in the evening.

### 7. an organized effort

noun · CEFR B1

a planned effort by a group of people to achieve a goal, like collecting money.

For teachers: an organized campaign or effort to achieve a specific objective, often charitable or commercial.

- The school is starting a food drive to help families in need.
- The annual blood drive exceeded its targets thanks to a coordinated social media campaign and local volunteer support.

### 8. computing storage

noun · CEFR A2

a piece of equipment in a computer that reads or stores information.

For teachers: a device used for the storage and retrieval of digital data.

- I saved all my photos onto an external hard drive.
- The server's primary drive failed, but fortunately, the redundant backup system prevented any significant data loss.

### 9. sports hit

noun · CEFR B2

a hard, fast hit of a ball in sports like golf, tennis, or baseball.

For teachers: a powerful stroke or hit that sends a ball on a straight or flat trajectory.

- His first drive went straight down the middle of the fairway.
- The batsman played a magnificent cover drive, sending the ball racing toward the boundary for four runs.

## Examples

- Let's go for a drive this afternoon.
- The scenic drive along the coast takes about an hour and offers beautiful views.
- His Sunday ritual was a long, solitary drive through the countryside, a quiet time he used to clear his head and organize his thoughts for the week ahead.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.