Word
subway
Phoneticssub·way, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsəbˌweɪ/
UK/sˈʌbweɪ/
Definitions
01underground train system
A2 · Elementary Countable noun American English
n. an underground railway system used for transporting people in a city.
n. an underground electric railway system for high-capacity passenger transit in urban areas.
“We took the subway to the museum because the traffic was terrible.”
“The city council approved a multi-billion dollar expansion of the subway to connect the outer suburbs with the financial district.”
Usage
Commonly used in the US and Canada; British speakers use 'underground' or 'tube'.
Synonyms
02pedestrian tunnel
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun British English
n. a tunnel that lets people walk safely under a busy road or railway.
n. an underground passage or tunnel designed specifically for pedestrian use to bypass surface traffic.
Español:paso subterráneo
“Use the subway to cross the main road safely.”
“The pedestrian subway was brightly lit and monitored by cameras to ensure the safety of commuters during the late hours.”
Pitfall
I took the subway to London.
I used the subway to cross the street.
In the UK, a subway is a short walking tunnel, not a train system.
Teaching tip
This is a major point of confusion between US and UK English; in London, a 'subway' is just a tunnel for walking.
Synonyms
03to travel by train
B2 · Upper Intermediate American English · Informal
v. to travel using an underground train system.
v. to travel via an underground rapid transit network.
“We decided to subway across town instead of calling a taxi.”
“Commuters who subway to work daily often find it more reliable than navigating the congested surface arteries during rush hour.”
Usage
Used as an intransitive verb.
Confusables
Underground and tube refer to the London rail network, while subway is the standard term for American systems.
RememberLondon takes the Tube; New York takes the Subway.
Etymology
From sub- + way.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/subway
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0