minibus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1neutral, everyday
Quick answer
What does “minibus” mean?
A small bus, typically designed to carry 8–16 passengers, for local transport or short trips.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small bus, typically designed to carry 8–16 passengers, for local transport or short trips.
Can refer to a passenger vehicle larger than a van but smaller than a standard bus, often used by schools, hotels, or community groups for transport.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term identically. However, in the US, 'shuttle' or 'shuttle bus' might be used for hotel/airport services where UK English might still say 'minibus'.
Connotations
Neutral in both. In UK, strongly associated with school transport and community trips. In US, may also be associated with hotel/airport shuttles.
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK English due to its prevalence in school and local community contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “minibus” in a Sentence
[verb] a minibus: take, drive, hire, book, rent[adjective] minibus: shared, private, school, hiredVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “minibus” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The school will minibus the team to the match.
- They minibussed us around the festival site.
American English
- The hotel minibuses guests to the downtown area.
- They minibussed the conference attendees between venues.
adverb
British English
- [Not used as adverb]
American English
- [Not used as adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Rare as adjective, but possible] The minibus service was very reliable.
American English
- [Rare as adjective] They offer a convenient minibus shuttle.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in tourism ('minibus tours') and transport hire sectors.
Academic
Rare, except in transport studies or sociology discussing community mobility.
Everyday
Very common for discussing school runs, group outings, and local transport.
Technical
Used in vehicle classification and licensing (e.g., 'category D1 licence' in UK for minibus driving).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “minibus”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “minibus”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “minibus”
- Using 'mini bus' as two separate words (should be one word or hyphenated: 'mini-bus' is an older variant).
- Confusing with a large van.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A minibus is specifically designed and equipped for passenger transport, with proper seats, windows, and often a higher roof. A van is primarily designed for cargo, though it can be converted.
It depends on the country, weight, and number of passengers. In the UK, for example, driving a minibus with more than 8 passenger seats typically requires a D1 entitlement on your licence.
It is standard as one word: 'minibus'. The hyphenated form 'mini-bus' is less common today.
Yes, in many places 'minicabs' or 'minibus taxis' operate, but the word 'minibus' itself does not automatically imply a taxi service; it describes the vehicle type.
A small bus, typically designed to carry 8–16 passengers, for local transport or short trips.
Minibus is usually neutral, everyday in register.
Minibus: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪnibʌs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪnibʌs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated with 'minibus']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MINI' + 'BUS' – it's a miniature version of a bus.
Conceptual Metaphor
[Not strongly metaphorical] A CONTAINER FOR A SMALL GROUP.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST definition of a minibus?