traffic jam — A long line of vehicles on a road that cannot move or that can only move very slowly
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: A long line of vehicles on a road that cannot move or that can only move very slowly
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈtræfɪk dʒæm/
Example Sentences
- The pizza delivery guy blamed the traffic jam for bringing cold pizza - apparently my pepperoni needed a two-hour timeout.
- During the traffic jam, I learned my entire neighbor's life story through our open car windows.
- The traffic jam was so bad that people started playing cards between cars.
traffic jam
NOUN[/ˈtræfɪk dʒæm/]
A long line of vehicles on a road that cannot move or that can only move very slowly
A long line of vehicles on a road that cannot move or that can only move very slowly
Stuck in traffic jam, late for exam - time to slam!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Traffic derives from French 'trafique' (trade), originally referring to the movement of goods and commerce. Over time, it evolved to denote the flow of vehicles and people on roads. Jam, by analogy with fruit preserve becoming thick and immobile, came to mean a state of congestion where movement is blocked. The compound 'traffic jam' emerged in the 20th century to describe vehicular congestion.
Breakdown
traffic (flow of vehicles, from French trafique meaning trade) + jam (stuck or blocked state, from the imagery of jam being thick and immobile).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The pizza delivery guy blamed the traffic jam for bringing cold pizza - apparently my pepperoni needed a two-hour timeout.”
“During the traffic jam, I learned my entire neighbor's life story through our open car windows.”
“The traffic jam was so bad that people started playing cards between cars.”
“We need to leave early to avoid the rush hour traffic jam.”
📚Related Words
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