road

road — noun

1. a specially prepared strip of land with a paved surface, used by cars, trucks, a

1.nounA1
Definition

a specially prepared strip of land with a paved surface, used by cars, trucks, and other vehicles for moving between locations.

Example

The road between Haruto's village and the nearest town is narrow and winding.

road + between + [place A] and [place B]

Alessia pulled over to the side of the road to check her map.

the side of the road

Common collocations
  • main road
  • side road
  • road surface
  • road works
  • road sign
  • bumpy road
  • paved road
  • dirt road
  • country road
Synonyms
  • street

    usually in a town or city with buildings on both sides; 'road' can be in any location

  • highway

    a major public road, especially between cities; faster and wider

  • lane

    a narrow road, often in the countryside

Grammar Patterns

road + between [place A] and [place B]

road + to [place]

on + a/the road

down/along + the road

Usage Note

Countable noun; typically takes an article or determiner. British English prefers 'in + road name', while American English prefers 'on + road name'. The phrase 'on the road' (travelling) is a different sense — see sense 3.

Common Mistakes

We walked in the road carefully.
We walked along the road carefully.
'in the road' suggests standing on the surface among vehicles, not moving alongside it.
He drove on street.
He drove on the street.' or 'He drove on a road.
'road' is a countable noun and requires a determiner.

2. the condition of having valid documents, insurance, and mechanical fitness requi

2.nounB1
Definition

the condition of having valid documents, insurance, and mechanical fitness required by law to operate a vehicle on the street.

Example

Imran's old van cost more to repair than it was worth, so it is no longer on the road.

be on the road (vehicle roadworthy)

The mechanic said the car will be back on the road by Friday afternoon.

Common collocations
  • back on the road
  • keep on the road
  • still on the road
Synonyms
  • roadworthy

    adjective form describing a vehicle that is safe and legal to drive

  • driveable

    can be driven, not necessarily legally roadworthy

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be on the road

keep [vehicle] on the road

[vehicle] + back on the road

Usage Note

Only used in the fixed phrase 'on the road' (or 'back on the road'). The opposite is 'off the road'. Distinguish from sense 3: here the subject is the vehicle itself, not the driver.

Common Mistakes

My car is on road after repairs.
My car is back on the road after repairs.
the definite article 'the' is required in this fixed phrase.

3. the experience or activity of travelling from one place to another, especially f

3.nounB1
Definition

the experience or activity of travelling from one place to another, especially for a long distance or for many hours at a time.

Example

Paloma has been on the road for six hours and still has another three to go.

be on the road + duration

Long-distance truck drivers spend most of their lives on the road away from family.

spend [time] on the road

Common collocations
  • on the road
  • life on the road
  • spend time on the road
Synonyms
  • travelling

    a general term; 'on the road' specifically implies driving or being in a vehicle

  • on a journey

    slightly more formal; can include non-vehicle travel

Antonyms
  • at home

    not travelling; staying in one place

Grammar Patterns

be on the road

spend [time] on the road

life on the road

Usage Note

Used in the fixed phrase 'on the road'. The subject is the traveller (person), not the vehicle (compare sense 2). Often implies a long journey rather than a short trip to the shops.

Common Mistakes

I am on road this week for work.
I am on the road this week for work.
'the' is required.

4. a situation in which performers — such as musicians, actors, or comedians — trav

4.nounB2
Definition

a situation in which performers — such as musicians, actors, or comedians — travel to different cities or towns to give a series of shows or concerts.

Example

The band spent the whole summer on the road, playing fifty shows across Japan.

band + on the road + concerts/shows

Rania's theatre group will go on the road again in March with a new comedy play.

Common collocations
  • on the road
  • go on the road
  • life on the road
  • take on the road
Synonyms
  • on tour

    the most direct synonym; used for both musical and theatrical performers

  • touring

    verb form describing the activity of travelling to perform

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be on the road

take [show/band] on the road

[performer] + on the road

Usage Note

The phrase 'on the road' in this sense specifically refers to a scheduled performance tour, not casual travel (sense 3). The subject is the group or performer, and the context is entertainment.

Common Mistakes

The singers are on road for their new album.
The singers are on the road for their new album.
the definite article is required.

5. a series of actions or events that leads to a particular goal or outcome, such a

5.nounB2
Definition

a series of actions or events that leads to a particular goal or outcome, such as success, recovery, or peace.

Example

After months of therapy, Tunde felt he was finally on the road to recovery.

on the road to + [positive outcome]

For Karim, years of practice at the local boxing gym were the road to a national championship title.

Common collocations
  • road to success
  • road to recovery
  • road to peace
  • road to ruin
  • long road ahead
  • first step on the road
Synonyms
  • path

    more personal or individual-focused; less about vehicles or infrastructure

  • route

    suggests a clearer, more defined set of steps or a plan

  • way

    more general and informal; the broadest of these synonyms

Antonyms
  • obstacle

    something that blocks progress rather than enabling it

Grammar Patterns

road + to + [goal]

[be] on the road to + [outcome]

the road to + [destination]

Usage Note

Usually appears in the pattern 'road to + noun phrase'. 'On the road to' implies that progress has already begun. 'A road to' implies possibility or potential outcome. The road can lead to either positive or negative results.

Common Mistakes

Education is road to better job.
Education is a road to a better job.
'road' is countable and needs a determiner.
Idioms

hit the road

idiom

to leave a place and begin a journey, especially a trip by car or other vehicle.

Alessia finished packing her bags and told the group it was time to hit the road.

Luca told his brother they should hit the road before the traffic jam started at noon.

one for the road

idiom

a final alcoholic drink taken just before leaving a party, bar, or social gathering.

As the party wound down, Otis's uncle offered everyone one for the road.

Amelia declined one for the road because she was driving home that night.

on the road to

idiom

in the process of achieving or reaching a particular state or goal.

After three months without cigarettes and with daily walks in the park, Matthew felt he was on the road to better health.

The two tech startups from Seoul are on the road to completing their merger by the end of the summer.

the road to hell is paved with good intentions

idiom

a saying that means good intentions alone are not enough — you must actually take action to achieve a good result.

Joaquin kept promising to visit his grandmother every month, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Paloma's grandmother often reminded her that the road to hell is paved with good intentions whenever she put off her homework.

end of the road

idiom

the point at which something can no longer continue or succeed; a final limit or stopping point.

After ten years and three failed prototypes, the inventor knew it was the end of the road for his flying car project.

Haruto's doctor told him the disease had spread too far, and they had reached the end of the road.

any road

idiom

Used to mean anyway or regardless.

I didn't like the movie, any road.

Any road, we should start dinner now.

(reach) the end of the line/road

idiom

The point where something cannot continue in the same way.

After losing the case, the company reached the end of the line.

This injury might be the end of the road for his career.

get the show on the road

idiom

To start an activity or journey.

Let's get the show on the road before it gets dark.

Brian said, "It's time to get this show on the road."

hit the road/trail

idiom

To start a journey.

We hit the road at dawn to avoid traffic.

Sara packed her bags and hit the trail for the mountains.

kick the can (down the road)

idiom

To delay dealing with a problem.

The government keeps kicking the can down the road on climate change.

Instead of fixing the leak, he kicked the can down the road.

off the road

idiom

Not in good enough condition to be legally driven on public roads.

My car is off the road until I fix the brakes.

After the accident, the truck was off the road for months.

on the road

idiom

Travelling, especially for long distances or periods of time.

The band has been on the road for three months.

Diego was on the road since early morning and needed a break.

where the rubber meets the road

idiom

The point at which something is tested and you find out if it works.

The exam is where the rubber meets the road for students.

In business, the rubber meets the road when customers pay.

Word family

  • roadie
    nounC1
  • roadside
    nounB2
  • roadway
    nounB2
  • roadworthy
    adjectiveB2
  • roadworks
    nounB1
  • roadblock
    nounB2
  • road trip
    nounA2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These five words all describe routes for moving from A to B, but their typical uses differ. A 'road' is a hard, wide surface built for vehicles, connecting towns or passing through areas both urban and rural ('a winding mountain road'). A 'street' is a road in a town or city with buildings and pavements on both sides ('a busy shopping street'). A 'path' is a narrow trail for walkers, not vehicles ('a muddy path through the woods'). 'Way' is the most general word — it can mean a road but more often refers to a direction or method ('Can you tell me the way to the station?'). 'Route' emphasises the specific series of roads or directions you follow to reach a destination ('the fastest route to the airport'). Use 'road' when the physical surface matters; use 'street' for an urban setting with addresses; use 'path' for walking trails; use 'way' for direction or manner; and use 'route' for a planned itinerary.

road ↗street ↗path ↗way ↗route ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • road works
  • road sign
  • road surface
  • road safety
  • road map
  • road trip
  • road conditions
  • road network
  • road traffic

Phrases

  • on the road to recovery
  • the road ahead
  • the open road
  • the end of the road
  • the road less travelled

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishGermanicEnglish

'Road' comes from the Old English word 'rād', which originally meant 'a riding' or 'a journey on horseback'. It is related to the verb 'ridan' (to ride). Over time, the meaning shifted from the act of riding to the surface on which people rode. The word has Germanic roots and is related to Dutch 'reed' and German 'Reise' (journey). 'Road' has been used to mean a prepared surface for vehicles since at least the 14th century.