# motorist

/ˈmoʊtɝɪst/ (US) · /mˈəʊtəɹˌɪst/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/motorist
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

someone who drives a car. You usually see this word in news reports or on road signs.

For teachers: a person who drives a motor vehicle, particularly a car. Often used in legal, journalistic, or formal contexts to distinguish drivers from pedestrians or cyclists.

## Examples

- The police warned every motorist to be careful in the snow.
- A passing motorist stopped to help the family change their flat tire on the side of the highway.
- Urban planners must balance the needs of the local motorist with the safety of pedestrians to create a functional city center.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the plural to refer to drivers as a collective group.

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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.