bicycle
IPA: /ˈbaɪsɪkəl/
a two-wheeled vehicle moved by pedals
English vocabulary by topic
Transport vocabulary in English
Names for road, air, rail and water transport that are useful on trips and everyday journeys.
12 wordsBritish audioClear definitions
Vocabulary for journeys and travel
The list includes familiar city transport — bus, tram and car — together with long-distance options such as train, plane and ship. Sort the words into land, air and water transport to make them easier to remember.
Use by without an article to describe a method of transport: by bus, by train and by plane. When you mean a particular vehicle, use a different pattern: on the bus but in the car.
Vocabulary
Words in this topic
Use the speaker icon to hear each word in British English.
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boat
IPA: /bəʊt/
a small vehicle used for travelling on water
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bus
IPA: /bʌs/
a large road vehicle that carries passengers
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car
IPA: /kɑː/
a road vehicle with four wheels
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helicopter
IPA: /ˈhɛlɪˌkɒptə/
an aircraft with large rotating blades
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plane
IPA: /pleɪn/
an aircraft with wings
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scooter
IPA: /ˈskuːtə/
a small two-wheeled vehicle
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ship
IPA: /ʃɪp/
a large vessel used on the sea
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train
IPA: /treɪn/
connected railway vehicles that carry people or goods
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tram
IPA: /træm/
a passenger vehicle that runs on rails in a city
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truck
IPA: /trʌk/
a large road vehicle used to carry goods
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vehicle
IPA: /ˈviːɪkəl/
a machine used to transport people or goods
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How to remember these words
- Sort the words into land, air and water transport.
- Describe your normal journey to work or school.
- Review each noun inside a phrase: by bus, on the train, in the car.
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Useful phrases
I usually go to work by bus.
The train leaves at eight.
They are travelling by plane.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between by bus and on the bus?
By bus describes the method of travel. On the bus means that someone is travelling in a particular bus.
What is the difference between a ship and a boat?
A boat is generally smaller and used on rivers, lakes or near the coast. A ship is a large sea-going vessel.
Are car and vehicle the same?
A car is one specific type. Vehicle is the general term for cars, buses, trucks and other forms of transport.
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