drink-driver
B2Formal, Legal, Media
Definition
Meaning
A person who operates a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, exceeding legal blood alcohol limits.
A person who commits the offence of drink-driving; often used in legal, media, and public safety contexts to refer to the offender.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a noun to label the person committing the offence. The focus is on the criminal act rather than a habitual state. Often appears in news reports and official warnings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: 'drink-driver' (noun). US: 'drunk driver' is the standard term; 'drink-driver' is rarely used and sounds like a Britishism.
Connotations
UK: Formal, official, descriptive of the act. US (if used): Would be perceived as odd or non-standard; carries no specific connotation.
Frequency
High frequency in UK media and legal contexts. Very low to zero frequency in US English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[det] drink-driver[adj] drink-driverdrink-driver [who-clause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Over the limit, under arrest.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not typically used; relevant for fleet management or corporate liability policies.
Academic
Used in criminology, sociology, or public health research on road safety.
Everyday
Common in news reports and public safety campaigns.
Technical
Used in legal documents and police reports specifying the charge.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was banned for drink-driving.
American English
- He was arrested for drunk driving.
adjective
British English
- The drink-drive limit was reduced.
American English
- The drunk-driving laws are strict.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The police stopped a drink-driver.
- A drink-driver caused a serious accident on the motorway.
- The repeat drink-driver received a two-year prison sentence and a lengthy driving ban.
- Campaigners argue that tougher penalties for convicted drink-drivers are a more effective deterrent than public awareness campaigns alone.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DRINK + DRIVER: Combines the act (drink) with the role (driver) to label the offender.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRIME AS A LABEL (The person is defined by the illegal act they committed).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'пить-водитель'. The Russian equivalent is 'нетрезвый водитель' or 'пьяный водитель'. The UK term labels the *act* (drink-driving), not just the state (drunk).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'drink-driver' in US English contexts.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He drink-drives'). The verb is 'to drink-drive'.
- Confusing with 'drunkard' or 'alcoholic', which refer to a person's general relationship with alcohol, not a specific driving offence.
Practice
Quiz
Which term is standard in American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In meaning, yes, both refer to a person driving under the influence of alcohol. 'Drink-driver' is the standard UK term, while 'drunk driver' is standard in the US.
No, the person is a 'drink-driver' (noun). The related verb is 'to drink-drive' (UK) or 'to drive drunk' (US).
It is most commonly found in UK news media reports, legal proceedings, and official public safety communications.
No, that is incorrect. The adjective form is 'drink-drive', as in 'a drink-drive offence' or 'drink-driving'. You would say 'a car driven by a drink-driver'.