pedestrian

USAGE SUMMARY

"pedestrian" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is most often used as an adjective meaning "commonplace, not special" or as a noun referring to someone who is walking instead of using a vehicle. Example sentence: The pedestrian crossing the street had the right of way.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are the ones who are increasingly cutting us all up (pedestrian, car or cyclist), pushing us aside or screaming at us because we've slowed down to allow a child or older person live.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unfortunately though, when I see another rider, I have no idea if they are going to slow down, speed up, stop, run over a pedestrian and say it was my fault or do a wheelie down the wrong side of the road.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That means that a street lantern can switch on and off depending on how busy the street is: if nobody is there, they dim, but as soon as a car, bike or pedestrian approaches, they turn themselves on and accompany the vehicle or person on his way.

The Guardian

"I think it'd be great as a pedestrian and a cyclist if I didn't have to push a button to cross and I didn't have to wait, that I could also be optimised in my walking and my cycling," he said.

The Guardian - Tech

THERE are a lot of decisions in life that are easier because we know the difference between right and wrong - it's why we wouldn't steal a biscuit from a poor homeless orphan or kick away a pensioner's walking stick as they're about to step on to a pedestrian crossing.

The Guardian

But a cyclist that makes a pedestrian jump, either through a red light or turning left, or on the pavement, that's bad.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Take pedestrianisation: they said they would make 19 kilometres of streets pedestrian and that's what happened," Asse said.

The Guardian

Such sentiments would seem jarring for Eurovision, especially in a year celebrating diversity, where host city Vienna installed special same-sex couple pedestrian traffic signals.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Josh sliced through the grey pedestrian precinct in his box-fresh trainers and shiny puffer jacket like a returning pop star.

The Guardian

After more than 30 years of rather pedestrian toil, this will be remembered as the year that British women's high jumping finally took flight.

The Guardian - Sport

"There is now an opportunity to connect London together better, to give Londoners a huge improvement in the quality of pedestrian river crossing in this area, to allow us all to get closer to the river and at the same time to stimulate new regeneration possibilities at both ends where it lands".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pedestrian" as an adjective to describe something as uninspired, ensure the context is clear and that a more direct synonym like "mundane" or "commonplace" doesn't offer greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "pedestrian" to describe a person's character unless you specifically mean they are unremarkable or lack originality. It's more commonly understood in the literal sense of someone who walks.

Linguistic Context

The word "pedestrian" functions primarily as a noun referring to a person traveling on foot. It also functions as an adjective, describing something designed for walkers (e.g., a "pedestrian bridge") or something lacking in originality. Ludwig AI confirms these dual roles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pedestrian" is a versatile term primarily used as a noun referring to someone walking or as an adjective describing something either related to walking or lacking in originality. Ludwig AI confirms its dual functionality, finding the term widely used across diverse sources. While generally correct, it's important to consider the context to ensure clarity, especially when using it in its less common, adjectival sense to describe something as uninspired. Being mindful of potential ambiguity can lead to more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

walker

Refers specifically to someone who is walking, highlighting the action of walking itself.

foot traveler

Emphasizes the mode of transport being on foot, similar to "pedestrian".

on foot

Indicates the manner of travel, focusing on the act of walking rather than the person.

commonplace

Shifts the meaning to the adjective sense of "pedestrian", indicating something ordinary or unoriginal.

mundane

Similar to "commonplace", stressing the lack of excitement or interest.

uninspired

Focuses on the lack of creativity or originality, akin to the less common usage of "pedestrian".

run-of-the-mill

Implies ordinariness and lack of distinction, comparable to the adjective sense of "pedestrian".

everyday

Highlights the routine and unremarkable nature, similar to "pedestrian" when used to describe something dull.

lackluster

Indicates a lack of brilliance or excitement, aligning with the 'ordinary' sense of "pedestrian".

prosaic

Emphasizes a lack of poetic or imaginative quality, similar to the 'dull' adjective usage of "pedestrian".

FAQs

How is "pedestrian" used in a sentence?

As a noun, "pedestrian" refers to someone walking on foot. Example: "The "pedestrian crossing" allows safe passage across the street." As an adjective, it describes something ordinary or uninspired. Example: "The movie's plot was rather "pedestrian plot"."

What's the difference between "pedestrian" and "walker"?

"Pedestrian" typically refers to someone walking in a traffic context or urban environment. "Walker" is a more general term for someone who walks, whether for leisure, exercise, or transportation. So all pedestrians are walkers, but not all walkers are pedestrians.

What can I say instead of "pedestrian" (meaning uninspired)?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "commonplace", "mundane", "uninspired", or "prosaic".

Is it always clear when "pedestrian" is used as an adjective?

Not always. Ensure the context makes it clear you're referring to something as ordinary or uninspired, rather than literally relating to someone walking. Using a more precise synonym can often improve clarity.