traveller: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
High frequencyNeutral, used in both formal and informal contexts.
Quick answer
What does “traveller” mean?
A person who travels or is travelling, especially over long distances or frequently.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who travels or is travelling, especially over long distances or frequently.
Can refer to someone who journeys for leisure, business, or exploration; in specific contexts, it denotes a member of nomadic groups such as Irish Travellers, often with cultural connotations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: British English uses 'traveller' with double L, while American English uses 'traveler' with single L. Pronunciation also varies slightly.
Connotations
In British English, 'traveller' may more specifically refer to nomadic communities; in American English, it's generally neutral.
Frequency
Both spellings are common in their respective regions, with 'traveler' preferred in the US and 'traveller' in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “traveller” in a Sentence
traveller to [destination]traveller from [origin]traveller in [place]traveller with [companion]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “traveller” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She loves to travel across Europe by train.
- They plan to travel to Scotland next summer.
American English
- He loves to travel across the States by car.
- We plan to travel to Canada next winter.
adverb
British English
- He spoke travellingly about his adventures in Asia.
- They moved travellingly from place to place.
American English
- He spoke travelingly about his adventures in South America.
- They moved travelingly from state to state.
adjective
British English
- She has a travelling lifestyle that suits her.
- The travelling exhibition visited multiple cities.
American English
- She has a traveling lifestyle that suits her.
- The traveling exhibition visited multiple cities.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to individuals traveling for work, e.g., in corporate travel management.
Academic
Used in fields like tourism studies, geography, or anthropology to discuss mobility.
Everyday
Common in conversations about holidays, commutes, or personal journeys.
Technical
In transportation or logistics, denotes users of travel services or systems.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “traveller”
- Misspelling as 'traveler' in British contexts or 'traveller' in American contexts.
- Using 'traveller' interchangeably with 'tourist' without nuance.
- Incorrect pluralization: 'travellers' not 'travelers' in UK English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Traveller' often implies longer-term, immersive, or frequent travel, while 'tourist' typically refers to short-term leisure visits with less engagement.
In American English, it is spelled 'traveler' with a single L.
Yes, in contexts like the UK, 'Traveller' (capitalized) can refer to nomadic ethnic groups such as Irish Travellers or Romani people.
Yes, commonly in terms like 'business traveller' to denote someone traveling for work purposes.
A person who travels or is travelling, especially over long distances or frequently.
Traveller is usually neutral, used in both formal and informal contexts. in register.
Traveller: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtrævələ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtrævələr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “traveller's tale”
- “traveller's cheque”
- “a traveller in time”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember: 'traveller' has two L's in British English, like travelling a long way.
Conceptual Metaphor
Life is a journey; we are all travellers on a path.
Practice
Quiz
In British English, which spelling is correct?