Taxi vs. Cab — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
Taxi and cab are synonymous, both denoting a car with a driver for hire that transports passengers short distances. No significant difference exists between the two.
Difference Between Taxi and Cab
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Taxi originates from the term "taximeter," indicating a meter calculating the fare, offering a technical and operational connotation to the service. Conversely, cab, short for "cabriolet," roots itself in the physical aspect, referring to a carriage pulled by horses, transitioning later to mean a motorized passenger vehicle.
In various global contexts, taxi is universally recognized and utilized in numerous countries and languages, suggesting a wide international application. On the other hand, cab is predominantly used in American English, symbolizing a localized linguistic preference.
Taxi often forms compound words and phrases such as "taxi stand" or "taxi driver," indicating its versatile linguistic application within different contexts. Whereas cab, while also forming phrases like "cab driver," exhibits a more colloquial and familiar tone in conversation.
Taxi is commonly used in official and formal communication, signifying a standardized and globally accepted term in transportation dialogues. In contrast, cab might be perceived as informal, being a shortened form and linguistically casual, potentially utilized more in daily, informal interactions.
In aviation, taxi refers to the movement of an aircraft on the ground under its power, demonstrating its utility beyond road transport. Cab does not enjoy similar cross-industrial usage and predominantly stays within the context of road vehicles for hire.
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Comparison Chart
Origins
Derived from "taximeter."
Shortened form of "cabriolet."
Global Usage
Universally recognized.
Predominantly American English.
Linguistic Application
Forms compound words/phrases.
More colloquially used.
Formality
Perceived as more formal.
Seen as informal.
Cross-Industrial Reference
Used in aviation to denote ground movement of aircraft.
Limited to road transport.
Compare with Definitions
Taxi
A car with a driver for hire that transports passengers.
She took a taxi to the airport.
Cab
A cheap, one-horse carriage.
In the past, people rode around the city in a cab.
Taxi
A vehicle that transports paying passengers.
A taxi waited for us outside the hotel.
Cab
A car for hire with a driver that transports passengers.
He hailed a cab in the busy city.
Taxi
To transport someone in a taxicab.
He taxis people around the city.
Cab
The enclosed compartment of a truck or crane where the driver or operator sits.
The cab of the crane offered a panoramic view.
Taxi
The act of an aircraft moving along the ground under its own power.
The plane will taxi to the runway.
Cab
A type of taxicab or carriage.
He got into the cab and asked to be driven downtown.
Taxi
To move slowly on the ground (related to aircraft).
The pilot taxied to the designated spot.
Cab
A taxi
She hailed a cab
Cab drivers
Taxi
A motor vehicle licensed to transport passengers in return for payment of a fare and typically fitted with a taximeter
I'll take a taxi from the air terminal
A taxi driver wanted five dollars to drive me to my hotel
Cab
The driver's compartment in a lorry, bus, or train.
Taxi
(of an aircraft) move slowly along the ground before take-off or after landing
The plane taxied to a halt at the terminal
Cab
A cabinet containing a speaker or speakers for a guitar amplifier.
Taxi
Take a taxi as a means of transport
I would taxi home and sleep till eight
Cab
Travel in a taxi
Roger cabbed home
Taxi
A taxicab.
Cab
A taxicab.
Taxi
To be transported by taxi.
Cab
The covered compartment of a heavy vehicle or machine, such as a truck or locomotive, in which the operator or driver sits.
Taxi
To move slowly on the ground or on the surface of the water before takeoff or after landing
An airplane taxiing down the runway.
Cab
A one-horse vehicle for public hire.
Taxi
To transport by or as if by taxi
Taxied the children to dance class.
Taxi documents to a law office.
Cab
An ancient Hebrew unit of measure equal to about 2 liters (2.1 quarts).
Taxi
To cause (an aircraft) to taxi.
Cab
To ride or travel in a taxicab
We cabbed to the opera.
Taxi
A vehicle that may be hired for single journeys by members of the public, driven by a taxi driver.
Cab
To drive a taxicab
He cabs for a living.
Taxi
(aviation) The movement of an aircraft across an airport's surface under its own power; a phase of aircraft operation involving this movement.
During taxi, the flaps and slats are extended and the second engine (if not already running) is started.
Seat belts must be kept fastened during taxi, takeoff, turbulence, and landing.
Cab
Compartment at the front of a truck or train for the driver.
A cab ride
Taxi
(South Africa) A share taxi.
Cab
Shelter at the top of an air traffic control tower or fire lookout tower.
Taxi
To move an aircraft on the ground under its own power.
Taxi down the runway
Cab
Any of several four-wheeled carriages; a cabriolet.
Taxi
To travel by taxicab.
Cab
Synonym of taxi
Taxi
Same as taxicab.
Cab
A former Hebrew unit of volume, about equal to 1.3{{nbsp}}L as a dry measure or 1.25{{nbsp}}L as a liquid measure.
Taxi
Any vehicle that carries passengers for a fare, as a water taxi.
Cab
An arcade cabinet, the unit in which a video game is housed in a gaming arcade.
Taxi
A car driven by a person whose job is to take passengers where they want to go in exchange for money
Cab
Alternative form of CAB}}; {{clipping of; a compress library archive file.
Taxi
Travel slowly;
The plane taxied down the runway
Cab
To travel by taxicab.
Taxi
Ride in a taxicab
Cab
A kind of close carriage with two or four wheels, usually a public vehicle.
Cab
The covered part of a locomotive, in which the engineer has his station.
Cab
A Hebrew dry measure, containing a little over two (2.37) pints.
Cab
A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits
Cab
Small two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage; with two seats and a folding hood
Cab
A car driven by a person whose job is to take passengers where they want to go in exchange for money
Cab
The driver’s compartment in a locomotive, steamboat, etc.
From the cab, the train engineer saw the upcoming station.
Common Curiosities
Is "cab" ever used as a verb?
Rarely in everyday language, "cab" is predominantly a noun.
Can "taxi" also be a verb?
Yes, "taxi" can be a verb, describing the movement of an aircraft on the ground.
Why is a taxi also called a "cab"?
"Cab" originates from "cabriolet," a horse-drawn carriage, and was adapted for motor vehicles.
Is "taxi" used in specific regions more than "cab"?
"Taxi" is widely used, while "cab" might be more common in the U.S.
Can "cab" refer to something besides a vehicle?
Yes, "cab" can refer to the driver’s compartment in a truck or train.
Can both "taxi" and "cab" be used in app services?
Yes, app-based transportation services may use either term.
Is "taxi" used in public transportation contexts?
Generally, no. "Taxi" typically refers to private, not public, transportation.
Is "taxi" used in aviation?
Yes, "taxi" describes an aircraft's ground movement from or to a runway.
Can "cab" imply a specific type of vehicle?
Historically, yes, but today it generally means a vehicle for hire.
Are "taxi" and "cab" synonymous?
Yes, in most contexts, "taxi" and "cab" are interchangeable.
Does "taxi" have abbreviations?
Yes, it's sometimes abbreviated as "taxi cab" or just "cab."
Can "cab" refer to a pre-booked service?
Yes, you can pre-book a "cab," although some regions might prefer “taxi” for pre-booked services.
Can "taxi" describe a service type?
Yes, "taxi" often implies a service that can be hailed or directed to a specific destination.
Can "cab" imply a short-distance transport?
It might, but both "cab" and "taxi" can be used for any distance within their operational area.
Does "taxi" only refer to automobile transportation?
Predominantly, yes, but with its aviation usage, not exclusively.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
