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

➝ Key Differences ➝ Comparison Chart ➝ Definitions ➝ FAQs

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Key Differences

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.

Oct 04, 2023

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.

Oct 04, 2023

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.

Oct 04, 2023

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.

Oct 04, 2023

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.

Oct 04, 2023

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Comparison Chart

Origins

Derived from "taximeter."

Shortened form of "cabriolet."

Oct 04, 2023

Global Usage

Universally recognized.

Predominantly American English.

Oct 04, 2023

Linguistic Application

Forms compound words/phrases.

More colloquially used.

Oct 04, 2023

Formality

Perceived as more formal.

Seen as informal.

Oct 04, 2023

Cross-Industrial Reference

Used in aviation to denote ground movement of aircraft.

Limited to road transport.

Oct 04, 2023

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Definitions

Taxi

A car with a driver for hire that transports passengers.

She took a taxi to the airport.

Oct 04, 2023

Cab

A cheap, one-horse carriage.

In the past, people rode around the city in a cab.

Oct 04, 2023

Taxi

A vehicle that transports paying passengers.

A taxi waited for us outside the hotel.

Oct 04, 2023

Cab

A car for hire with a driver that transports passengers.

He hailed a cab in the busy city.

Oct 04, 2023

Taxi

To transport someone in a taxicab.

He taxis people around the city.

Oct 04, 2023

Cab

The enclosed compartment of a truck or crane where the driver or operator sits.

The cab of the crane offered a panoramic view.

Oct 04, 2023

Taxi

The act of an aircraft moving along the ground under its own power.

The plane will taxi to the runway.

Oct 04, 2023

Cab

A type of taxicab or carriage.

He got into the cab and asked to be driven downtown.

Oct 04, 2023

Taxi

To move slowly on the ground (related to aircraft).

The pilot taxied to the designated spot.

Oct 04, 2023

Cab

A taxi

She hailed a cab

Cab drivers

Jan 20, 2019

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

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

The driver's compartment in a lorry, bus, or train.

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

(of an aircraft) move slowly along the ground before take-off or after landing

The plane taxied to a halt at the terminal

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

A cabinet containing a speaker or speakers for a guitar amplifier.

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

Take a taxi as a means of transport

I would taxi home and sleep till eight

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

Travel in a taxi

Roger cabbed home

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

A taxicab.

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

A taxicab.

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

To be transported by taxi.

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

The covered compartment of a heavy vehicle or machine, such as a truck or locomotive, in which the operator or driver sits.

Jan 20, 2019

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.

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

A one-horse vehicle for public hire.

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

To transport by or as if by taxi

Taxied the children to dance class.

Taxi documents to a law office.

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

An ancient Hebrew unit of measure equal to about 2 liters (2.1 quarts).

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

To cause (an aircraft) to taxi.

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

To ride or travel in a taxicab

We cabbed to the opera.

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

A vehicle that may be hired for single journeys by members of the public, driven by a taxi driver.

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

To drive a taxicab

He cabs for a living.

Jan 20, 2019

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.

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

Compartment at the front of a truck or train for the driver.

A cab ride

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

(South Africa) A share taxi.

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

Shelter at the top of an air traffic control tower or fire lookout tower.

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

To move an aircraft on the ground under its own power.

Taxi down the runway

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

Any of several four-wheeled carriages; a cabriolet.

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

To travel by taxicab.

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

Synonym of taxi

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

Same as taxicab.

Jan 20, 2019

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.

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

Any vehicle that carries passengers for a fare, as a water taxi.

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

An arcade cabinet, the unit in which a video game is housed in a gaming arcade.

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

A car driven by a person whose job is to take passengers where they want to go in exchange for money

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

Alternative form of CAB}}; {{clipping of; a compress library archive file.

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

Travel slowly;

The plane taxied down the runway

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

To travel by taxicab.

Jan 20, 2019

Taxi

Ride in a taxicab

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

A kind of close carriage with two or four wheels, usually a public vehicle.

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

The covered part of a locomotive, in which the engineer has his station.

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

A Hebrew dry measure, containing a little over two (2.37) pints.

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

Small two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage; with two seats and a folding hood

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

A car driven by a person whose job is to take passengers where they want to go in exchange for money

Jan 20, 2019

Cab

The driver’s compartment in a locomotive, steamboat, etc.

From the cab, the train engineer saw the upcoming station.

Oct 04, 2023

FAQs

Is "cab" ever used as a verb?

Rarely in everyday language, "cab" is predominantly a noun.

Oct 04, 2023

Can "taxi" also be a verb?

Yes, "taxi" can be a verb, describing the movement of an aircraft on the ground.

Oct 04, 2023

Why is a taxi also called a "cab"?

"Cab" originates from "cabriolet," a horse-drawn carriage, and was adapted for motor vehicles.

Oct 04, 2023

Is "taxi" used in specific regions more than "cab"?

"Taxi" is widely used, while "cab" might be more common in the U.S.

Oct 04, 2023

Can "cab" refer to something besides a vehicle?

Yes, "cab" can refer to the driver’s compartment in a truck or train.

Oct 04, 2023

Can both "taxi" and "cab" be used in app services?

Yes, app-based transportation services may use either term.

Oct 04, 2023

Is "taxi" used in public transportation contexts?

Generally, no. "Taxi" typically refers to private, not public, transportation.

Oct 04, 2023

Is "taxi" used in aviation?

Yes, "taxi" describes an aircraft's ground movement from or to a runway.

Oct 04, 2023

Can "cab" imply a specific type of vehicle?

Historically, yes, but today it generally means a vehicle for hire.

Oct 04, 2023

Are "taxi" and "cab" synonymous?

Yes, in most contexts, "taxi" and "cab" are interchangeable.

Oct 04, 2023

Does "taxi" have abbreviations?

Yes, it's sometimes abbreviated as "taxi cab" or just "cab."

Oct 04, 2023

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.

Oct 04, 2023

Can "taxi" describe a service type?

Yes, "taxi" often implies a service that can be hailed or directed to a specific destination.

Oct 04, 2023

Can "cab" imply a short-distance transport?

It might, but both "cab" and "taxi" can be used for any distance within their operational area.

Oct 04, 2023

Does "taxi" only refer to automobile transportation?

Predominantly, yes, but with its aviation usage, not exclusively.

Oct 04, 2023

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba 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.