carjacking: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-mediumFormal, journalistic, legal, law enforcement
Quick answer
What does “carjacking” mean?
The crime of stealing a car by force, typically while the owner or driver is in or near it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The crime of stealing a car by force, typically while the owner or driver is in or near it.
The act of violently or threateningly seizing control of a vehicle from its occupants, often involving assault or the threat of weapons. It is considered a serious violent crime rather than simple theft.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in American English in the early 1990s and is more commonly used in US media and law. In the UK, the act is often described as 'car hijacking' or 'vehicle hijacking', but 'carjacking' is widely understood and used in similar contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a violent, confrontational crime. In the US, it may carry specific associations with certain urban areas and the 1990s crime wave. In the UK, it might be perceived as an 'Americanism' for a serious but less common crime.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in American English due to higher incidence and media coverage. In UK English, reports might use more periphrastic descriptions like 'violent theft of a car'.
Grammar
How to Use “carjacking” in a Sentence
[Someone] carjacks [a vehicle] (from [someone])[A carjacking] occurs/takes place/happensBe a victim of [carjacking]Be charged with [carjacking]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “carjacking” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The gang was known to carjack luxury vehicles near the motorway services.
- He was carjacked at knifepoint outside the supermarket.
American English
- The suspects attempted to carjack an SUV in the parking lot.
- She was carjacked while waiting at a red light.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; 'carjacking' is not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not standard; 'carjacking' is not used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- The carjacking incident was captured on CCTV.
- Police issued a warning after a spate of carjacking crimes.
American English
- He faced federal carjacking charges.
- The city saw a rise in carjacking statistics last year.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in insurance or security reports (e.g., 'The policy covers losses from carjacking').
Academic
Used in criminology, sociology, or law journals discussing crime trends and typologies.
Everyday
Used in news reports and conversations about serious crime. Not a casual everyday word.
Technical
A specific legal charge in some jurisdictions (e.g., 'Carjacking in the first degree'). Used in police reports and court proceedings.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “carjacking”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “carjacking”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “carjacking”
- Using 'carjacking' for stealing an empty, parked car (that's 'car theft' or 'grand theft auto').
- Spelling as 'car-jacking' (though hyphenated form is sometimes seen, solid spelling is standard).
- Using it as a general term for any aggressive driving ('road rage').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, as the term specifies 'car'. However, it is sometimes extended to other similar personal vehicles like SUVs and vans. For lorries/trucks or buses, 'hijacking' is more common.
'Grand theft auto' is a broad legal category for stealing any motor vehicle, often when it is unattended. 'Carjacking' specifically involves the use or threat of force against the driver or passengers present in the vehicle, making it a violent crime.
Yes, the verb form 'to carjack' is well-established (e.g., 'They attempted to carjack his vehicle'). The past tense is 'carjacked'.
It is a specialised word related to crime. While not part of everyday casual vocabulary, it is important for understanding news reports, crime dramas, and legal discussions, especially in an American context.
The crime of stealing a car by force, typically while the owner or driver is in or near it.
Carjacking is usually formal, journalistic, legal, law enforcement in register.
Carjacking: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːˌdʒæk.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːrˌdʒæk.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(not commonly used in idioms; the term itself is a recent, specific coinage)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of JACKing (hijacking/stealing) a CAR. Picture a car being forcibly 'jacked' up and taken away.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRIME IS A TAKEOVER / HIJACKING. The 'jack' from 'hijack' (itself from 'highjack') metaphorically transfers the concept of seizing control (originally of vehicles like trucks and planes) specifically to cars.
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario best describes a 'carjacking'?