travel verb spelling

Is it ‘traveling’ or ‘travelling’?

What to Know When it comes to spelling the forms of the verb travel , traveled and traveling are more common in the U.S., and travelled and travelling are dominant everywhere else.

Spelling is typically clear-cut in modern English: forty unfailingly betrays four ; the sweet treat after dinner is spelled dessert , not desert .

But some words have two forms that appear often enough in edited text to make it clear that something else is going on. And so it is with forms of the verb travel : traveled and travelled , and traveling and travelling .

It might have a different spelling wherever you're going.

One or Two L 's?

If you look at where the single l forms originate and where the double l forms originate a pattern emerges: in the United States, traveled and traveling predominate, and everywhere else travelled and travelling are preferred.

The reason mostly comes down to one man we at Merriam-Webster hold especially dear: Noah Webster. Our lexicographical father (brothers George and Charles Merriam bought the rights to Noah Webster’s 1841 dictionary after Webster died) was a great believer in spelling reform and wanted English spelling to make more sense—and if the English of his homeland had more logic to it than its British parent, so much the better. He decided that travel needed only one l in its past and present participle forms.

Webster’s logic is the reason behind the spelling of canceled and cancelled as well: in the U.S., they have just one l , but elsewhere two l ’s are the norm.

American English Words that Use 2 L 's

Webster didn’t think all double l ’s needed to be reduced to one, however: in cases in which the accent, or emphasis, is on the syllable with the l , two l ’s are preserved: expelled and expelling ; controlled and controlling ; patrolled and patrolling .

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Grammarflex

“Traveling” or “Travelling” (Which Spelling is Correct?)

• February 12, 2024

Traveling or travelling?

The verb travel , which is to “go from one place to another, especially over a long distance”, uses different spellings based on UK English and US English:

• British English spells “ travelling ” with the double “L”.
• American English spells “ traveling ” with one “L”.

The same goes with other verb forms of “travel” in the past tense i.e., traveled and travelled ; or as a noun, traveler and traveller .

Other words (like traveling or travelling)

Word forms of travel.

Other verb/noun forms also conform to the same spelling rules based on US/UK English:

Sentences with traveling/traveling (present participle)

The travelling / traveling public have had enough of fare increases.

She grew up in a travelling / traveling family.

The birds are travelling / traveling south for the winter.

She enjoys travelling / traveling around Europe.

Sentences with traveled/travelled (past tense)

They travelled / traveled cross-country from New York to California.

The pain travelled / traveled down his back.

They travelled / traveled on the bus to and from work together.

Synonyms of travel

• peregrinate (to travel especially on foot)

Phrases with travel

• travel light
• travel-sick/travel sickness
• travel agent or agency

Origin of the word travel

Etymonline on travel :

Late 14c., “to journey,” from travailen (1300) “to make a journey,” originally “to toil, labor”. Replaced Old English faran . Related: Traveled ; traveling . Traveled (adj.) “having made journeys, experienced in travel” is from early 15c. Traveling salesman is attested from 1885. —Etymonline, travel.

Read more about US English vs. UK English

• Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of humor.” Online Etymology Dictionary, Accessed 12 February, 2024.
• “Peregrinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peregrinate . Accessed 12 Feb. 2024.

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Is it Traveling or Travelling—Correct Spelling Guide

What is the correct way to spell “traveling?” Can you spell it “travelling” if you want?

To travel the world and visit other countries is often seen as an enjoyable way to spend one’s free time.

But how do you spell “traveling,” the verb form of “travel”?

Don’t search anywhere else; here is everything you need to know about the term “travel.”

“Traveling” or “travelling”

The difference between the two terms is your audience.

That said, “traveling” is the preferred way to spell the word in the United States.

You will find this correct spelling in the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

However, if your readers are located in the United Kingdom in the Commonwealth , the term is spelled “travelling.”

The subtle distinction of one “L” versus two simply depends on what country you are writing in/for.

Therefore , “travelers” and “traveled” are the U.S. forms, while “travellers” and “travelled” are the UK forms.

No matter the country, the present tense form of the word “travel” is spelled the same and does not require a second “L” at the end.

Root word: travel

Travel can serve as a verb or a noun .

As an intransitive verb , “travel” is defined as “To go on a trip or tour to a destination.”

Similarly, as a transitive verb, “travel” is defined as “to journey through or over.”

The definition for “travel” in its noun form is “a journey, especially to a distance or unfamiliar place.”

Be aware that the noun version of the word is often used as a plural.

Travelers definition

Another term that comes from “travel” is “traveler” or, in its plural version, “travelers.”

That said, a traveler is commonly referred to as “one that goes on a trip or journey.”

Essentially, “traveler” can be used to describe a person who is taking a trip by car, train, plane, etc.

If subjects in a sentence are going on a journey through different countries or simply to the grocery store, they are “travelers.”

What type of word is “traveling?”

Verbs ending in “-ing” are either present participles or gerunds .

The two styles of words look the same, but their functions in a sentence are different.

Further , present participles can be used in all continuous verb formations ( past , present, future, etc.).

With verbs ending in “-ing,” the helping verb will tell the reader the tense (acting as a link) while the present participles remain unchanged.

Take the below examples, for instance:

• “The boy is watching the trains.”
• “Shelia was waiting for her survey.”
• “My family will be coming to Canada in July.”
• “The group would be moving to Germany if the cost wasn’t an issue.”
• “I would have been picking out my free ice cream flavor by now.”

Intransitive vs. transitive verbs

According to the Merriam-Webster definition, “traveling” can act as both a transitive and intransitive verb .

Transitive verbs will always have a noun that receives the action described by the verb; this noun is called the direct object .

“Tommy lifts the weight.”

In the previous example, “lifts” is the verb and “the weight” is the object receiving the verb’s action.

Therefore, “lifts” is a transitive verb.

On the other hand, intransitive verbs never have a direct or indirect object.

There is no object that receives an intransitive verb’s action.

“The group walks quickly to their destination.”

In this case, the verb is “walks,” and the modifying phrase is “quickly to their destination.”

As you will notice, no object receives the action that “walks” describes.

When to use traveling in writing

Recall that verbs ending in “-ing,” like “traveling,” can be used in the present, future, and past tense.

This present participles rely on the helping verb to indicate the tense of the sentence.

So, you can use the term to say the same thing, just in different tenses .

“He is traveling abroad” can also begin the following ways and still be grammatically correct.

• “He was…”
• “He will be…”
• “He would be…”
• “He would have been…”

You use this term to describe a subject who is, will be, was on their way to a different area than where they came from.

Examples of traveling in a sentence

If you have the correct spelling of the term down but are having a tough time using the term in a sentence, take a look at these sentences.

Using travel/traveling as a verb

• “If traveling were free, most people would take several trips a year.”
• “After traveling all day, all Lucy wanted to do was rest.”
• “I would like to travel and not get lost this time.”
• “Mark was only traveling for fun and leisure, not for work.”
• “All my life, I wanted to travel the world for fun, and now I finally get to!”
• “Before I travel, I must obtain a fishing license.”

Using travel as a noun

“At this time, international travel is banned for safety reasons.”

“He wanted to obtain a free travel license from the site, but the page wouldn’t load.”

“Safety was the top priority for Lisa after she would arrive at her travel excursion.”

“My travels demanded that I use services associated with the train to see my sister.”

“All her life, Katy was never oriented with foreign travel.”

“The new social movement talked about the future of crime and travel in the country.”

“I’d like to use this travel to connect with as many people as possible.”

Why is traveling commonly misspelled?

Why does “traveling” have two different ways of spelling the term?

Most of this is credited to Noah Webster , one link of the famous dictionary we frequently use today.

As a lexicographer and linguist, Webster influenced American English more than most people realize.

That said, he preferred the shorter version of most words that had multiple different ways of spelling.

After including the shorter version of terms in his dictionary, these words became dominant in the United States.

The rest of the English-speaking countries out there preferred the longer spellings of terms.

That said, countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK spell the term “travelling” with two “L”s instead of one.

How to remember which word to use

In the case of the present participle version of “travel,” remember that shorter is better.

“Travelling” is the proper spelling in British English.

So, if that is your audience, use that version.

However, American English demands the spelling “traveling.”

External links to sources

• Present participles: The -ing forms – EF.edu
• Traveler definition – Merriam-Webster
• Verb Tenses – Grammarly
• Types of Verbs – UVU.edu
• Travel definition – Merriam-Webster
• Traveling or Travelling? – Grammarly
• Noah Webster | American lexicographer | Britannica
• lexicographer – definition and examples – ThoughtCo

Inside this article

Fact checked: Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Learn more.

About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.

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[ trav - uh l ]

verb (used without object)

to travel for pleasure.

• to move or go from one place or point to another.
• to proceed or advance in any way.
• to go from place to place as a representative of a business firm.

He travels in a wealthy crowd.

• Informal. to move with speed.
• to pass, or be transmitted, as light or sound.
• Basketball. (of a player in possession of the ball) to take more than two steps without dribbling or passing the ball.
• to move in a fixed course, as a piece of mechanism.

verb (used with object)

• to travel, journey, or pass through or over, as a country or road.

We traveled a hundred miles.

to travel logs downriver.

to travel to other planets.

to set out on one's travels.

a book of travels.

• such an account or work.

an increase in travel on state roads.

• Basketball. an instance of traveling with the ball.
• the complete movement of a moving part, especially a reciprocating part, in one direction, or the distance traversed; stroke.
• length of stroke.

to reduce the travel of food from kitchen to table.

a travel alarm clock.

/ ˈtrævəl /

she travelled across France

he travels to improve his mind

he travelled the country

• to go, move, or cover a specified or unspecified distance

to travel in textiles

• (esp of perishable goods) to withstand a journey

the sound travelled for miles

• to progress or advance
• basketball to take an excessive number of steps while holding the ball
• (of part of a mechanism) to move in a fixed predetermined path

that car certainly travels

• informal. often foll by with to be in the company (of); associate
• the act of travelling

a travel brochure

• usually plural a tour or journey
• the distance moved by a mechanical part, such as the stroke of a piston
• movement or passage

Discover More

Spelling note, other words from.

• travel·a·ble adjective
• non·travel·ing adjective
• non·travel·ling adjective
• outtravel verb (used with object) outtraveled outtraveling or (especially British) outtravelled outtravelling
• pre·travel noun verb pretraveled pretraveling or (especially British) pretravelled pretravelling
• un·travel·ing adjective
• un·travel·ling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of travel 1

Example Sentences

López said she could not travel to Mexico because she is undocumented.

Sound waves traveling thousands of kilometers through the ocean may help scientists monitor climate change.

Biden traveled to the state days later, meeting with the Blake family and calling for unity and healing in the community, though he, too, denounced the violence that followed the shooting.

TripActions says it has added nearly 500 new corporate customers since March, a surprising achievement at a time when most employees are still not traveling freely.

The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, which was first identified in China in December, has had sweeping effects in the public health, business, and travel sectors, among others.

You just travel light with carry-on luggage, go to cities that you love, and get to hang out with all your friends.

He did travel to China and Australia while the story was unfolding.

In doing so he exposed the failure of other airlines in the region to see the huge pent-up demand for cheap travel.

“The tribe is really made of people who put travel as a priority in their entire lifestyle,” says Evita.

Brands like Lo & Sons and Delsey are already tapping Travel Noire to connect with black travelers.

One thing was certain: Grandfather Mole could travel much faster through the water than he could underground.

The mothers know better than any one else how hard a way the little girl will have to travel through life.

He could lie in bed and string himself tales of travel and adventure while Harry was downstairs.

Under ordinary circumstances these men can travel with their burden from twenty to thirty miles a day.

The rules regulating travel on highways in this country are called, "the law of the road."

Related Words

• sightseeing

[ ak -s uh -lot-l ]

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Conjugation verb travel

Model : cancel

Auxiliary : have , be

Other forms: travel oneself / not travel

Contractions

in the U.K. spelling we double up the 'l' in preterite and participle endings

The verb has several variants of conjugation, which may correspond to different meanings. Please use the menu to select one or all variants.

• he/she/it travels
• they travel
• I travelled/traveled
• you travelled/traveled
• he/she/it travelled/traveled
• we travelled/traveled
• they travelled/traveled

Present continuous

• I am travelling/traveling
• you are travelling/traveling
• he/she/it is travelling/traveling
• we are travelling/traveling
• they are travelling/traveling

Present perfect

• I have travelled/traveled
• you have travelled/traveled
• he/she/it has travelled/traveled
• we have travelled/traveled
• they have travelled/traveled
• I will travel
• you will travel
• he/she/it will travel
• we will travel
• they will travel

Future perfect

• I will have travelled/traveled
• you will have travelled/traveled
• he/she/it will have travelled/traveled
• we will have travelled/traveled
• they will have travelled/traveled

Past continous

• I was travelling/traveling
• you were travelling/traveling
• he/she/it was travelling/traveling
• we were travelling/traveling
• they were travelling/traveling

Past perfect

• I had travelled/traveled
• you had travelled/traveled
• he/she/it had travelled/traveled
• we had travelled/traveled
• they had travelled/traveled

Future continuous

• I will be travelling/traveling
• you will be travelling/traveling
• he/she/it will be travelling/traveling
• we will be travelling/traveling
• they will be travelling/traveling

Present perfect continuous

• I have been travelling/traveling
• you have been travelling/traveling
• he/she/it has been travelling/traveling
• we have been travelling/traveling
• they have been travelling/traveling

Past perfect continuous

• I had been travelling/traveling
• you had been travelling/traveling
• he/she/it had been travelling/traveling
• we had been travelling/traveling
• they had been travelling/traveling

Future perfect continuous

• I will have been travelling/traveling
• you will have been travelling/traveling
• he/she/it will have been travelling/traveling
• we will have been travelling/traveling
• they will have been travelling/traveling
• let's travel
• travelling/traveling
• travelled/traveled

Perfect participle

• having travelled/traveled

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Definition of 'travel'

Video: pronunciation of travel

travel in British English

Travel in american english, examples of 'travel' in a sentence travel, cobuild collocations travel, trends of travel.

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• Travancore-Cochin
• travel a distance
• travel a route
• travel abroad
• All ENGLISH words that begin with 'T'

Related terms of travel

• rail travel
• safe travel
• time travel
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Definition of travel noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• air/rail/space travel
• travel expenses
• The job involves a considerable amount of foreign travel .
• the travel industry
• travel sickness
• a travel bag/clock (= for use when travelling)
• a travel guide (= a book of useful information for travellers)
• If you're going abroad, get some travel insurance .
• your passport and other travel documents
• The pass allows unlimited travel on all public transport in the city.
• I used my compass to confirm my direction of travel.
• What are your favourite time travel stories?
• Most experts advise against air travel for at least three weeks after a heart attack.
• package tour
• self-catering
• destination
• flight path
• sightseeing
• The bus is their preferred mode of travel.
• The price includes travel from Bangkok to Phuket.
• Continued fighting makes travel in the area dangerous.
• The new bypass will reduce travel time to the airport.
• Expenditure on business travel was reduced.
• the holiday travel season
• I always pack a travel alarm.
• (figurative) The party needs to set out a clear direction of travel (= what its plans are) for healthcare.
• travel from
• a/​the direction of travel
• a/​the means of travel
• a/​the mode of travel

Questions about grammar and vocabulary?

Find the answers with Practical English Usage online, your indispensable guide to problems in English.

• travels + adv./prep. The novel is based on his travels in India.
• Her work is influenced by her travels around the globe.
• on your travels When are you off on your travels (= going travelling) ?
• have/​take (British English) a holiday/ (North American English) a vacation/​a break/​a day off/ (British English) a gap year
• go on/​be on holiday/​vacation/​leave/​honeymoon/​safari/​a trip/​a tour/​a cruise/​a pilgrimage
• go backpacking/​camping/​hitchhiking/​sightseeing
• plan a trip/​a holiday/​a vacation/​your itinerary
• book accommodation/​a hotel room/​a flight/​tickets
• have/​make/​cancel a reservation/ (especially British English) booking
• rent a villa/ (both British English) a holiday home/​a holiday cottage
• (especially British English) hire/ (especially North American English) rent a car/​bicycle/​moped
• stay in a hotel/​a bed and breakfast/​a youth hostel/​a villa/ (both British English) a holiday home/​a caravan
• cost/​charge $100 a/​per night for a single/​double/​twin/​standard/ (British English) en suite room
• check into/​out of a hotel/​a motel/​your room
• pack/​unpack your suitcase/​bags
• call/​order room service
• cancel/​cut short a trip/​holiday/​vacation
• apply for/​get/​renew a/​your passport
• take out/​buy/​get travel insurance
• catch/​miss your plane/​train/​ferry/​connecting flight
• fly (in)/travel in business/​economy class
• make/​have a brief/​two-day/​twelve-hour stopover/ (North American English also) layover in Hong Kong
• experience/​cause/​lead to delays
• check (in)/collect/​get/​lose (your) (especially British English) luggage/ (especially North American English) baggage
• be charged for/​pay excess baggage
• board/​get on/​leave/​get off the aircraft/​plane/​ship/​ferry
• taxi down/​leave/​approach/​hit/​overshoot the runway
• experience/​hit/​encounter severe turbulence
• suffer from/​recover from/​get over your jet lag/​travel sickness
• attract/​draw/​bring tourists/​visitors
• encourage/​promote/​hurt tourism
• promote/​develop ecotourism
• build/​develop/​visit a tourist/​holiday/ (especially British English) seaside/​beach/​ski resort
• work for/​be operated by a major hotel chain
• be served by/​compete with low-cost/ (especially North American English) low-fare/​budget airlines
• book something through/​make a booking through/​use a travel agent
• contact/​check with your travel agent/​tour operator
• book/​be on/​go on a package deal/​holiday/​tour
• buy/​bring back (tacky/​overpriced) souvenirs

Other results

• travel agents
• travel agencies
• travel agent’s
• travel-sickness
• adventure travel
• Association of British Travel Agents
• travel light

Nearby words

Travel Vocabulary for English-Language Learners

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The travel-related words below are the most important terms to know when talking about travel or taking vacations . Words are categorized into different sections depending on the type of travel. You'll find example sentences for each word to help provide context for learning, as well as a short quiz at the end to test your knowledge.

Air Travel Vocabulary and Sample Sentences

Airport : I went to the airport to catch a flight to San Francisco. Check in : Make sure to get to the airport two hours early to check in. Fly : I like to fly on the same airline to get mileage points. Land : The airplane will land in two hours. Landing : The landing took place during a storm. It was very scary! Plane : The plane is packed with 300 passengers. Take off : The airplane is scheduled to take off at 3:30 p.m.

Vacation Travel Vocabulary and Sample Sentences

Camp : Do you like to camp in the woods? Destination : What is your final destination? Excursion : I'd like to take an excursion to the wine country while we're in Tuscany. Go camping : Let's go to the beach and go camping next weekend. Go sightseeing : Did you go sightseeing while you were in France? Hostel : Staying in a youth hostel is a great way to save money on vacation. Hotel : I'll book a hotel for two nights. Journey : The journey will take four weeks and we'll visit four countries. Luggage : Can you carry the luggage upstairs? Motel : We stayed in a convenient motel on our way to Chicago. Package holiday : I prefer to buy package holidays , so I don't have to worry about anything. Passenger : The passenger felt ill during the voyage. Route : Our route will take us through Germany and on to Poland. Sightseeing : The sightseeing in this town is rather boring. Let's go shopping . Suitcase : Let me unpack my suitcase and then we can go swimming. Tour : Peter went on a tour of the vineyard. Tourism : Tourism is becoming an important industry in almost every country. Tourist : Every May, many tourists from around the world come to see the flower festival. Travel : Travel is one of his favorite free time activities. Travel agent : The travel agent found us a great deal. Trip : The trip to New York was lovely and interesting. Vacation : I'd love to take a nice long vacation on the beach.

Overland Travel Vocabulary and Sample Sentences

Bicycle : One of the best ways to see the countryside is to ride a bicycle. Bike : We rode a bike from shop to shop. Bus : You can catch a bus for Seattle at the bus station. Bus station : The bus station is three blocks from here. Car : You might want to rent a car when you go on vacation. Lane : Make sure to get into the left lane when you want to pass. Motorcycle : Riding a motorcycle can be fun and exciting, but it's also dangerous. Freeway : We'll have to take the freeway to Los Angeles. Highway : The highway between the two cities is quite lovely. Rail : Have you ever traveled by rail? Go by rail : Going by rail offers the opportunity to get up and walk around as you travel. Railway : The railway station is down this street. Road: There are three roads to Denver. Main road : Take the main road into town and turn left at 5th Street. Taxi : I got in a taxi and went to the train station. Traffic : There's a lot of traffic today on the road! Train : I like riding on trains. It's a very relaxing way to travel. Tube : You can take the tube in London. Underground : You can take the underground in many cities throughout Europe. Subway : You can take the subway in New York.

Sea / Ocean Travel Vocabulary and Sample Sentences

Boat: Have you ever piloted a boat? Cruise: We will stop at three destinations during our cruise through the Mediterranean. Cruise ship: It's the most elegant cruise ship in the world! Ferry: Ferries allow passengers to take their cars with them to their destination. Ocean: The Atlantic Ocean takes four days to cross. Port: There are all kinds of commercial ships in the port. Sailboat: The sailboat requires nothing but the wind. Sea: The sea is very calm today. Set sail: We set sail for the exotic island. Ship: Have you ever been a passenger on a ship? Voyage: The voyage to the Bahamas took three days.

Travel Vocabulary Quiz

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My English Language

English language resources for efl students and teachers.

Travel and Transport

Travel vocabulary: using english for travel.

Travel vocabulary is one of the most useful areas of language learning today, as more people than ever are travelling far and wide for business and pleasure. There are many useful words and phrases we use when travelling and dealing with transport.

Although our travel plans have been put on hold for a while due to the Coronavirus pandemic , the world is slowly starting to open up again. This means we need to be ready with our travel language and vocabulary for when we can get a flight, a bus or a train!

For non-native speakers , travel vocabulary is a particularly useful topic of study and always a popular subject, allowing you to enjoy organising your travels without worrying about language issues.

Explore travel  vocabulary  here and learn useful  vocabulary related to travelling and using public transport. We have included useful words related to using trains, buses, cars, taxis, planes and boats, so you can have your travel phrases covered, whatever your mode of transport.  

General English Travel Vocabulary:

to arrive , to depart, to leave, to stay,

to cancel, cancellation, cancelled, delay, delayed

to book, to reserve, reservation, to cancel a reservation

holiday, business trip

suitcase, bag, luggage

trip, journey, to travel, map

travel agent, brochure

ticket office, fare, price, single/return ticket

by foot, on foot

travelling by plane, by train, by taxi, by car, by boat

roundabout, road, traffic lights, speed limit, junction, cross roads, road signs

Image source

Transport Vocabulary and Useful Phrases:

Wheels, steering wheel, dash board, indicators, headlights, roof, bonnet, boot, engine, battery, windscreen wipers, garage, car mechanic, petrol station, service (a ‘check up’ for a car)

Double decker, single decker, passengers, bus driver, bus stop, bus station, bus conductor, coach, luggage hold, bus lane

Bus travelling phrases:

the next stop, the last stop, to get on/off the bus, to buy a ticket

Train station, platform, track, level crossing, locomotive, underground, cross-country, local, return, single, ticket, carriage, first/second class, train driver, ticket inspector, waiting room, seat, timetable, guard, season ticket, fare, travel card, buffet car

Train travel phrases:

to catch a train, to check the timetable, on the platform, to travel cross-country

to get on the train, to embark, to set off (on a journey)

to get off the train, to disembark, to alight

ticket machine – a machine where you can buy your train tickets

ticket gate – a mechanical gate blocking access, where you need to insert your ticket to pass through

the buffet car – a carriage on a train where you can buy drinks and snacks

Grand Central Station , New York City – image source

Cab, black cab (official English taxi), fare, taxi rank, taxi driver, tip ( noun and verb )

Taxi travel phrases:

to hail a taxi / to flag down a taxi (when you raise your arm to get a taxi driver’s attention to encourage it to stop in the street)

to pay the fare (the fare is the fee for the journey)

to tip the driver (verb) / to give the driver a tip (noun)

Aeroplane, airport, airline, wing, runway, pilot, gate, passport, excess baggage charge, cabin crew, flight attendant, air steward/stewardess, security, turbulence, seatbelt

take off, landing

turbulence (uncomfortable, sudden movements of a plane due to air pressure/temperature changes)

hand luggage (luggage you take into the cabin with you)

hold luggage/checked luggage (luggage you check in for stowage under the aircraft)

over-head locker (where you can put your hand luggage)

boarding card, customs, departures, arrivals, lounge, aisle seat, window seat, check-in, in-flight movie, in-flight entertainment

terminal 1, terminal 2 / T1, T2 (a terminal is where passengers go to buy tickets, check in luggage, go to their boarding gate etc.)

boarding gate – where passenger go to board the plane (i.e. to get on the plane), located inside the terminal building

A plane takes off – image source

Plane travel phrases:

to put luggage/bags in the hold

to board the plane

prepare for take off, the plane will be taking off in 30 minutes

prepare for landing, the plane will be landing in 20 minutes

to fasten your seatbelt, to buckle up (‘buckle up’ is slang for ‘fasten your seatbelt’)

the flight was quite turbulent, to experience some  turbulence,  there was some light/heavy turbulence

“How was your flight?”

“It was good, thanks, except there was some turbulence during the descent that made me spill my drink!”

“Great – it was a smooth flight and I slept most of the time.”

Ferry, cruise ship, harbour, deck, port, sea, ocean, cabin, captain, sail, sea sickness , crossing, on board, life belt/jacket, foot passenger, buffet, port side, starboard

• The difference between a boat and a ship: boats are small to mid-sized vessels, often used for pleasure trips. Boat is also a generic term for water vessels. Ships are normally larger and are used to carry cargo, passengers or smaller boats.

Boat travelling phrases:

to embark  (to get on the boat) / to disembark (to get off the boat)

‘choppy’ seas / rough seas / strong waves

Calm waters will provide a peaceful cruise for this ship  –  image source

calm waters / still waters

to sail, to have a good crossing (a ‘crossing’ is when you go from one place to another on a boat/ship) – e.g.  “Did you have a good crossing?”

to go out on deck (to go outside on the ship)

welcome aboard/on board (you might hear this when you embark for the first time)

the captain’s table (where the captain sits at dinner – sometimes passengers might get an invitation to site at the captain’s table at some point during their cruise)

• ‘Plain sailing’ is an idiom that means an event that goes smoothly: ‘It’s all plain sailing from here’

It’s a great day to be ‘out on deck’ – image source

English at the Train Station

Useful travelling vocabulary for using the train, including phrases you may want to say, phrases you may hear and comments you might want to make about travelling by train:

• Train times on timetables are always given in the twenty-four hour clock format. So, 5.15 pm would be 17.15 and 9.05 am would be 09.05.

A busy airport – image source

“How was the journey?”

“It was fine, the train arrived on time and I managed to buy a coffee from the buffet car.”

“Terrible, the first two trains were cancelled and then I had to stand up for the entire journey.”

“My train was delayed, so I passed the time by browsing in the station bookshop”

English vocabulary at the airport

Travelling vocabulary for using planes and visiting the airport, including phrases you might hear at the airport and sentences you might need to say when travelling by plane:

Click here to explore more essential English vocabulary and phrases for everyday situations.

When travelling and using transport, you might also need to ask for directions. Check out how to ask for directions in English when travelling around a city with our directions page. Our article includes possible questions you might want to ask and answers you could receive when navigating your way around a new town.

Let us know your thoughts on travel vocabulary

What do you find most difficult about using English when travelling?

Do you find any of these phrases related to travel and transport confusing?

Can you think of other useful English travel vocabulary for using different modes of transport?

TEFL teachers, how do you incorporate travelling vocabulary into your English lessons?

2 thoughts on “ Travel and Transport ”

Thank you for the provided phrases and words. I would also like to see a short dialogue or common phrases when someone got lost in a city or trying to get somewhere, so that there should be various options for speaking about traveling ina city

Hi Tatyana, thanks for your comment. A dialogue like this is a great suggestion. We will looks to add something like this to the travel and transport page soon. In the meantime, you might find our directions page useful, as this contains phrases for asking for directions when travelling in a city.

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• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Definition of travel – Learner’s Dictionary

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travel verb ( MAKE A JOURNEY )

• It costs less if you travel at the weekend .
• We hired a car so we could travel further afield .
• I have travelled extensively in Europe .
• They travelled the length and breadth of Scotland together.
• It's a film about the adventures of two friends travelling across Africa .

travel verb ( MOVE )

• Space travel may become very common in the near future .
• The price includes travel and accommodation .
• The travel company completely fouled up our holiday .
• They offer a 10 percent discount on rail travel for students .
• Over the years I've lost my taste for travel.

(Definition of travel from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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be up to your eyeballs in something

to be very busy with something

Binding, nailing, and gluing: talking about fastening things together

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13 slang words Gen Zers are using in 2024 and what they really mean

• Just like the generations before them, Gen Z uses an extensive list of slang words.
• "Bussin'," "ick," and "mid" are popular among Gen Zers.
• Social media helps slang spread rapidly, but proper credit is often lost along the way.

Just like fashion, slang goes in and out of style.

Think about it: When was the last time you heard anyone say "YOLO," "da bomb," or "tubular" unironically?

Social media has made it even harder to keep up with the trends, as anyone and everyone can share and adopt others' use of language.

John Baugh , a linguist at Washington University in St. Louis, told Business Insider last year, "Even though slang has always existed, the emergence of social media has created a situation where the potential for slang virality has increased."

While this can be an exciting opportunity for people to connect and bond over language, one major issue is appropriation. Many of the slang words attributed to Gen Z — defined by the Pew Research Center as anyone born between 1997 and 2012 — were created by members of marginalized communities, most notably Black and LGBTQ+ communities, which often aren't credited for their contributions.

The language is shared online in circles of people who understand its nuance, and it's later appropriated by those who don't know where it came from or fully understand how to use it. And it's easy for those who created it to see when it's being used incorrectly.

Brands or publications trying to attract attention from Gen Z, therefore, need to take care when using slang — at best, they could make a cringey mistake; at worst, they could offend people.

Gen Z values authenticity more than older generations did. Chad Kessler, who was then the global brand president at American Eagle, told BI in 2019, "Gen Z wants to support and participate in brands that they believe in and that reflect them."

He added: "They are loyal to brands that they feel understand them and reflect their values."

As slang continues to evolve daily in person and on the internet, all these words and phrases are subject to their respective ends, when they're axed from public use and deemed "uncool."

But at least for now, here are 13 slang terms Gen Z is using in 2024 and what they mean.

If you're told to do something "for the plot," it means to do it for the experience.

Saying "for the plot" is a fun way for Gen Z to encourage each other to do the crazy, fun things that make storytelling fun when you're older.

Urban Dictionary defines "for the plot" as "the conscious decision to see yourself as the main character of the story that is your life," adding: "You maintain the outlook that every moment — good or bad — is merely a plot point for your larger narrative."

Whether you swipe right on Tinder or go out spontaneously on a Tuesday night, it's all about the plot.

Still popular from 2023, someone with "rizz" has charisma.

It's true, Gen Z has an affinity for abbreviations.

A person with "rizz" is confident, charming, and generally successful in romantic endeavors.

An "ick" is a turnoff.

Ah, the ick . The term first gained widespread popularity years ago after the "Love Island" contestant Olivia Attwood (now Olivia Attwood Dack) used it during season three, but "the ick" remains a staple in Gen Z's vocabulary.

If someone gives you "the ick," it means they've turned you off, either through their actions or behaviors or something they said.

BI reported "icks" could come from actions as small as using the "wrong" emoji in conversation to as large as treating a service-industry worker poorly.

It's all about personal preference.

If someone lives "rent-free" in your mind, you think about them a lot.

They're taking up so much space in your mind that they might as well be paying rent.

Though often associated with specific people like a crush or celebrity, the phrase can also apply to events. For example, someone may say "Beychella" (Beyoncé's iconic 2018 Coachella performance) lives rent-free in their mind.

"Mother" is a popular term of endearment for female celebrities that originated in LGBTQ+ communities.

The New York Times reported last year that the term came from the Black and Latino LGBTQ+ ballroom scene, "a queer subculture in which members are organized into so-called houses often led by a 'mother.'"

"Mother" is a woman deserving of your respect who's had a profound influence on your life.

But who is "mother" depends on whom you ask. For some, it's Diana Ross. For others, it's Rihanna. The internet would argue it's also Reneé Rapp, Mariah Carey, Lana Del Rey — the list goes on.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez played a house mother in the groundbreaking series "Pose" and told The New York Times that "anyone should be able to use a term that is trending" but that it's important to know where it came from.

"The boundaries are knowing where it came from, always letting the world know where the culture came from," she added.

If a person "ate," they executed something flawlessly.

Often associated with fashion and beauty, saying someone "ate" is a way of expressing they look amazing and did a great job.

Look at almost any picture of Zendaya on the red carpet , and it'd be correct to say, "She ate."

"Left no crumbs" is a continuation of "ate" that's used as additional emphasis.

If you hear "she ate," you may often hear "and left no crumbs" immediately after.

The additional phrase helps emphasize how perfect the person's execution was, though it can be used on its own, too.

For example, " Blake Lively ate and left no crumbs at the 2022 Met Gala ." That means she executed the theme perfectly — everything from her dress to her glam to the presentation on the red carpet was flawless.

"Bussin'" or "buss" means it's very good.

Often used to describe food, "bussin'" is a word that originated in the Black community and means extremely good or delicious, per Merriam-Webster .

So if your kid says dinner tonight was "bussin'," just know you did a great job.

Something is "mid" if it falls short of expectations.

Whether it's a dress on the red carpet, a new TV show, or a pasta recipe, something that's "mid" is mediocre.

BI reported that Kaley Cuoco's 2024 Critics Choice Awards gown missed the mark , so it could also be described as mid.

Another way to say focus is "lock in."

You can "lock in" on an assignment, cleaning your apartment, or even a video game.

"Let him cook" means don't stop him from doing his thing.

While NC State ultimately lost to Purdue in the Final Four, DJ Burns Jr. was a standout in the 2024 March Madness tournament.

His coaches clearly saw how impactful his performance was in their tournament run and decided to "let him cook," upping his average minutes from 24.8 a game in the regular season to 28.2 in their five games of the tournament, per ESPN .

Why call yourself delusional when you can say "delulu"?

As we've already established, Gen Z loves abbreviations.

"Delulu" simply means delusional.

Rapp, a 24-year-old Gen Zer, famously told the "Today" show last year that what gave her confidence was delusion. She followed up on her comments in Gem Magazine this year, saying, "It's so interesting because I feel like delusion is cute now. Delusion is becoming slay. It's very funny and silly."

"It's just a weird, innate belief in myself," Rapp added, "and a real hunger to do something that I love so much. So I think delusion is like my little BFF. It's got me where I am right now."

As the kids say, delulu is the solulu.

(Delusion is the solution).

"Sus" is short for suspicious.

"Love Is Blind" fans know that Sarah Ann Bick's and Jeramey Lutinski's behavior on season six was sus.

Like Chelsea Blackwell said in the reunion, who really stays out talking to someone — who's not their fiancé — until 5 a.m.? And can you really trust someone who lies about their location even after they've shared it? Didn't think so.

• Main content

Media coverage and word of mouth extends DAAP art exhibit to April 30

Open to the public, display includes a rare painting on loan from anonymous cincinnati resident.

Popularity surrounding the art exhibit "Rediscovering Catharina van Hemessen’s 'Scourging of Christ': Women Artists, Patrons and Rulers in Renaissance Europe" at UC’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) Library has extended the exhibit to April 30.

Catharina van Hemessen’s "Scourging of Christ." Photo provided by Platts.

The exhibit, which delves into the triumphs and struggles of women artists, art collectors and rulers during the Renaissance era, garnered media attention on WVXU’s Cincinnati Edition  and  Cincinnati.com .

The exhibit opened in March, during Women's History Month, and was originally set to end April 8.

“I have heard from a number of people that they wish to see the exhibit now,” says Christopher Platts, the exhibit's co-curator and assistant professor of art history at DAAP. He estimates that more than 500 people have viewed the exhibit to date.

While the exhibition focuses on Hemessen’s signed painting of Christ's Passion from 1556 and her patron, Mary Hungary, regent of the Netherlands, it also features paintings, prints, rare books and illuminated manuscripts, shedding light on the significant roles women played in the European Renaissance between 1400 and 1600.

Hemessen was the most famous woman artist of the Northern Renaissance, says Platts, adding that it is on loan from an anonymous local collector. To Platts' knowledge, the painting has only been on public display three times, including the UC exhibit, over the last 50 to 75 years, he says. 

After April 30 the painting goes back to its home somewhere in Cincinnati.  

More information is available on the  DAAP Library page .

Featured image at top of DAAP Library exhibit "Rediscovering Catharina van Hemessen’s 'Scourging of Christ': Women Artists, Patrons and Rulers in Renaissance Europe." Photo credit/Christopher Platts. 

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