tickets: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Neutral (used across all registers)
Quick answer
What does “tickets” mean?
A small piece of paper or card that gives the holder a right to admission to a place of entertainment, a means of transport, etc.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small piece of paper or card that gives the holder a right to admission to a place of entertainment, a means of transport, etc., or to participate in an event.
A label or tag attached to something, especially to show its price; a record of a traffic offense issued by the police; (informal) something that is expected or certain to bring a particular result, especially a bad one (e.g., 'that's a ticket to disaster').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal differences in core meaning. 'Ticket' is used for political party affiliation in US (e.g., 'running on the Republican ticket'). 'Ticket office' (UK) vs. 'box office' or 'ticket booth' (US) for events. 'Season ticket' (UK for trains/football) vs. 'season pass' (US for similar concepts).
Connotations
Similar core connotations. In US English, 'ticket' can be used more broadly for a solution or means to achieve something (e.g., 'Education is your ticket to a better life').
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “tickets” in a Sentence
buy tickets for [event/transport]book tickets to [destination]have tickets to [event]get tickets for [person]tickets cost [amount]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tickets” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The warden ticketed three illegally parked cars.
- You'll get ticketed if you park here.
American English
- The police officer ticketed him for speeding.
- My car got ticketed outside the stadium.
adjective
British English
- The ticket price has increased.
- Go to the ticket window.
American English
- The ticket holder must be present.
- Check the ticket counter for assistance.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to costs for business travel, corporate hospitality events, or service/issue tracking (e.g., 'support ticket').
Academic
Rare in core academic texts, but used in discussions of economics of events, transport, or tourism.
Everyday
Very common for arranging travel, leisure activities, and receiving fines.
Technical
In IT, a 'ticket' refers to a record of a service request, problem, or change (e.g., 'helpdesk ticket').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tickets”
- Incorrect: 'I bought a tickets for the concert.' Correct: 'I bought tickets/a ticket for the concert.'
- Incorrect: 'We need to take tickets for the bus.' (if referring to buying on the bus) Correct: 'We need to buy/get tickets for the bus.' or 'We need to pay the fare.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Countable. You can have one ticket, two tickets, etc.
'Book' often implies reserving and paying later, especially for travel/events. 'Buy' means to purchase and pay for immediately.
Yes, it means to issue a fine or penalty notice, usually for a traffic or parking violation (e.g., 'The police ticketed my car').
An electronic ticket, a digital version sent by email or stored in an app, used instead of a paper ticket for travel and events.
A small piece of paper or card that gives the holder a right to admission to a place of entertainment, a means of transport, etc.
Tickets is usually neutral (used across all registers) in register.
Tickets: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɪk.ɪts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɪk.ɪts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That's the ticket! (old-fashioned, meaning 'that's correct/good')”
- “just the ticket (exactly what is needed)”
- “a ticket to ride (freedom/opportunity to travel, from Beatles song)”
- “a meal ticket (source of financial support)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound a ticket machine makes – 'tick-tick-tick-et' – as it prints your tickets.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TICKET IS A KEY (it unlocks access or opportunity); A TICKET IS A CAUSE (e.g., 'a ticket to trouble').
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'ticket' NOT typically refer to a physical document for entry?