sunday driver: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “sunday driver” mean?
A driver who operates their vehicle in a slow, leisurely, and often hesitant manner, typically associated with driving for pleasure on a day off, such as a Sunday.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A driver who operates their vehicle in a slow, leisurely, and often hesitant manner, typically associated with driving for pleasure on a day off, such as a Sunday.
A pejorative term for any driver perceived as overly cautious, slow, or indecisive, causing frustration for other road users, regardless of the day.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally common and understood in both dialects. The core concept is identical.
Connotations
In both dialects, it is a mild insult. It may carry a slightly stronger class/age implication (suggesting an elderly or inexperienced driver) in the UK.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to the prevalence of car culture, but very common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “sunday driver” in a Sentence
to be/get stuck behind a Sunday driverto call someone a Sunday driverVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used in formal business contexts.
Academic
Not used in academic writing, except perhaps in sociological studies of driving behavior.
Everyday
Common in everyday conversation, especially when complaining about traffic or slow drivers.
Technical
Not a technical term in traffic engineering or driving instruction.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sunday driver”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sunday driver”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sunday driver”
- Using it to describe a professional driver who works on Sundays. Incorrect: 'He's a Sunday driver for the delivery service.'
- Capitalizing it as a proper noun: 'Sunday Driver' instead of 'sunday driver'.
- Using it as a positive term for a safe driver.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the term refers to the style of driving (slow, leisurely), not the day. It can be used for any driver behaving that way on any day.
It is mildly derogatory and insulting. It suggests the driver is incompetent or inconsiderate, so it should be used cautiously, not to someone's face.
Typically, it describes the driver's behavior, not the vehicle's capabilities. However, it could be applied if a large, slow vehicle is being driven without due consideration for other traffic.
An aggressive, fast driver often called a 'leadfoot,' 'speed demon,' or 'boy racer.'
A driver who operates their vehicle in a slow, leisurely, and often hesitant manner, typically associated with driving for pleasure on a day off, such as a Sunday.
Sunday driver is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Sunday driver: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsʌn.deɪ ˈdraɪ.vər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsʌn.deɪ ˈdraɪ.vɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Driving at a Sunday pace.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone in their best clothes, driving a vintage car very slowly to church on a quiet Sunday morning, oblivious to the growing line of cars behind them.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEISURELY ACTIVITY IS SLOW DRIVING. The metaphor maps the relaxed, unhurried pace of a day off (Sunday) onto the act of driving.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following situations would the term 'sunday driver' be LEAST appropriate?