pedestrian

Definitions

From Latin pedester, 'one going on foot' (ped = foot) + -ian. Literally 'a walker.' The surprising adjective sense — 'dull, uninspired' — comes from the idea of plodding along on foot instead of soaring: ordinary, down to earth, unexciting.

Why It Means This

Two senses sit far apart but share one image. Walking on foot is humble and unhurried compared to riding — so 'pedestrian' came to describe anything plain and uninspired: a pedestrian speech, pedestrian writing. When you meet the word, check the context: a road sign means 'walker'; a book review means 'mediocre.'

Common Collocations

• 1.pedestrian crossing人行横道
• 2.pedestrian zone步行区
• 3.pedestrian walkway人行道
• 4.pedestrian traffic行人流量

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The new bridge has a separate lane for pedestrians and cyclists.

• 2.

  Drivers must always give way to pedestrians at this crossing.

• 3.

  The critics dismissed the film as pedestrian and forgettable.

Easily Confused

pedestrian vs mundane — both can mean 'dull,' but pedestrian stresses lack of imagination or flair (a pedestrian performance). mundane stresses being ordinary and routine, of this everyday world (mundane chores). A task can be mundane without being pedestrian.