carfare: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, somewhat dated
Quick answer
What does “carfare” mean?
The price paid for a trip on a bus, train, taxi, or other public conveyance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The price paid for a trip on a bus, train, taxi, or other public conveyance.
A small amount of money given to cover transportation costs, often used in contexts like reimbursement, or for a child's trip.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively American English. In British English, the concept would be expressed with specific terms like 'bus fare', 'train fare', or simply 'the fare'.
Connotations
In AmE, it can evoke mid-20th century urban life. In BrE, it would sound distinctly American and possibly old-fashioned.
Frequency
Very rare in contemporary BrE; low and declining in AmE, largely replaced by more specific terms.
Grammar
How to Use “carfare” in a Sentence
to have [AMOUNT] in carfareto need carfare for [DESTINATION]to give [SOMEONE] carfareVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in historical contexts of expense reports for minor transport costs.
Academic
Virtually non-existent except in historical or sociological studies of urban transport.
Everyday
Used in informal American speech, primarily by older generations or in specific urban communities.
Technical
Not used in technical transport planning; specific terms like 'single fare', 'tariff' are preferred.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “carfare”
- Using it to mean the cost of fueling a private car.
- Using it in a British context where it is unfamiliar.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It specifically refers to the fare paid to ride a bus, train, taxi, or other public conveyance.
It is quite dated and of low frequency. More specific terms like 'bus fare' or 'train ticket' are more common in modern usage.
It is strongly discouraged as it is an Americanism. British speakers would use 'fare', 'bus fare', or 'train fare' instead.
'Carfare' is a subset of 'fare'. 'Fare' is the general term for a transport charge (airfare, taxi fare). 'Carfare' is an informal, somewhat old-fashioned American term typically for local ground transport like buses or streetcars.
The price paid for a trip on a bus, train, taxi, or other public conveyance.
Carfare is usually informal, somewhat dated in register.
Carfare: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːˌfeə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːrˌfer/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's so broke he doesn't have carfare.”
- “Don't leave home without your carfare.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CAR (as in streetcar or taxi) and the FARE you pay to ride in it.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVEMENT IS A COMMODITY (you purchase units of travel).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'carfare' MOST likely to be used appropriately?