Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small bus or van that carries passengers along a regular route, typically for a low fare: A "jitney" is a type of public transportation vehicle, often smaller and less formal than a standard bus, that follows a flexible route.
   • (Historical, US slang) A five-cent coin; a nickel: In early 20th-century American slang, "jitney" also referred to the fare for such a ride, which was often five cents.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We took a jitney from the airport to the hotel.
  • In the 1920s, a ride on a jitney cost just a jitney.
  • The city's jitney service is popular for short trips downtown.

Advanced Usage

• "Jitney service": Refers to the system or business of operating small buses.

  • The neighborhood relies on informal jitney service.

• "Jitney driver": A person who operates such a vehicle.

  • The jitney driver knew all the regular passengers.

Variants and Related Words

• Jitneying (verb, gerund/noun): The act of operating or riding in a jitney.
  • Jitneying was a common way to commute.

Synonyms

• Shuttle bus: A bus that travels back and forth over a particular route.
• Minibus: A small bus for carrying passengers.
• Share taxi / Dollar van: Informal transport services similar to a jitney.

Related Phrases

• "Run a jitney": To operate a jitney service.
  • He used to run a jitney along the beachfront.

Notes on Meaning

The primary modern meaning is the vehicle. The historical slang meaning (a five-cent coin) is now rare but explains the origin of the word, as the fare was once a nickel. The term often implies an informal, affordable mode of transport.

Noun

1. a vehicle carrying many passengers; used for public transport
   • he always rode the bus to work