commute: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral (Formal to Informal)
Quick answer
What does “commute” mean?
To travel regularly between one's home and place of work or study, typically over a considerable distance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To travel regularly between one's home and place of work or study, typically over a considerable distance.
To change (a legal penalty) to a less severe one. In mathematics and physics: to be interchangeable in order of operations without affecting the result.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. American English more commonly uses 'commute' as a noun ('a long commute') in everyday speech, though this is also standard in British English.
Connotations
In both, it often implies a tedious, necessary journey. In British English, it strongly associates with rail travel into major cities (e.g., London). In American English, car commuting is a dominant image.
Frequency
The noun form (my commute) is slightly more frequent in American English corpora.
Grammar
How to Use “commute” in a Sentence
[S] commute [from X] [to Y] [by Z][S] commute [N: distance/time][S: judge] commute [N: sentence] to [N: lesser penalty]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “commute” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She commutes into Canary Wharf from Kent every weekday.
- The judge decided to commute the sentence on grounds of ill health.
American English
- He commutes from New Jersey to Manhattan by ferry.
- The governor has the power to commute a prisoner's death sentence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussing remote work policies: 'We offer flexible working to reduce employee commutes.'
Academic
In urban studies: 'The research examines the socioeconomic impact of long-distance commuting.'
Everyday
Making small talk: 'How's your commute these days with the new roadworks?'
Technical
In linear algebra: 'These two matrices do not commute under multiplication.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “commute”
- Using 'commute' only as a verb when the noun is very common ('I have a long commute').
- Confusing 'commute' with 'compensate' (e.g., 'The company commutes me for my travel' is wrong).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, very commonly, especially in American English. 'My commute is awful' means the journey to work is awful.
Yes. 'Commute' specifically implies regular, repeated travel between home and work/school. 'Travel' is general movement from one place to another.
It comes from Latin 'commutare' meaning 'to change altogether, to exchange'. This explains both the travel sense (exchanging one location for another) and the legal sense (changing a penalty).
No. By definition, a commute involves travel. The concept is negated by working from home, though you might say 'I have no commute now'.
To travel regularly between one's home and place of work or study, typically over a considerable distance.
Commute is usually neutral (formal to informal) in register.
Commute: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈmjuːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈmjut/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(legal) commute a death sentence to life imprisonment”
- “the daily commute (as a set phrase)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of COMMunication + rUTE. You communicate with your family at the start and end of your daily travel route.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / WORK IS A DESTINATION. The commute is a necessary, often burdensome, segment of that journey.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'commute' used CORRECTLY?