drive
gb/dɹˈaɪv/ us/dɹˈaɪv/
A1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
action
1
Operate and control a vehicle
To make and control a car, bus, or other vehicle move.
Usage pattern:
to drive [a car/vehicle] [to a place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'drive' with 'ride'; 'ride' is for being a passenger or controlling bikes/motorcycles, while 'drive' is for controlling cars or similar vehicles.
Synonyms
operate (More general; can refer to running any type of machine, not just vehicles.)
Antonyms
walk (Refers to moving on foot instead of using a vehicle.)
Collocations
drive a car
|drive to work
|drive home
|drive carefully
|drive fast
Themes
transportation
|daily life
|travel
Examples
- I learned to drive when I was sixteen.
- She drives to the office every morning.
- Please drive carefully in the rain.
- He drove the truck across the country.
- We took turns driving during the long trip.
Learner examples
- I can drive a car.
- My father drives to work.
- She drives fast on the highway.
- We drive to school every day.
- He drives to the store.
Verb
B1
action
2
Cause someone to act or feel strongly
To make someone do something or feel something strongly.
Usage pattern:
to drive [someone] to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with physical driving of vehicles. Context usually makes it clear, but emotional/causal uses are figurative.
Synonyms
motivate (Implies encouragement toward action, often positive; 'drive' can be positive or negative.)
Antonyms
discourage (Means to make someone less willing or motivated to act.)
Collocations
drive someone crazy
|drive change
|drive success
|drive innovation
Themes
emotions
|motivation
|communication
Examples
- Her passion drives her to work long hours.
- The noise outside is driving me crazy.
- Poverty drove him to steal.
- Curiosity drives scientific discovery.
- Their determination drove the project forward.
Learner examples
- My parents drive me to study hard.
- The loud music drives me crazy.
- Hunger drove him to eat quickly.
- Her dream drives her to work every day.
- The teacher's words drove me to try again.
Noun
A2
event
3
Journey in a vehicle
A trip in a car or other vehicle.
Usage pattern:
to go for [a/an] drive
Synonyms
ride ('Ride' is similar but also applies to bicycles and motorcycles; 'drive' refers specifically to motor vehicles.)
Antonyms
walk (Travel on foot instead of by vehicle.)
Collocations
go for a drive
|long drive
|scenic drive
Themes
transportation
|daily life
|travel
Examples
- We went for a drive along the coast.
- It’s a short drive from here to the city center.
- They took a long drive through the countryside.
- The drive to work takes about 30 minutes.
Learner examples
- We go for a drive in the city.
- It is a short drive to the park.
- They take a long drive on Sunday.
- The drive to school is ten minutes.
Noun
B2
state
4
Strong determination or ambition
A strong feeling that makes you want to do something and work hard at it.
Synonyms
ambition ('Ambition' often implies wanting success or power; 'drive' emphasizes energy and determination.)
Antonyms
apathy (Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or motivation.)
Collocations
personal drive
|show drive
|lack of drive
Themes
emotions
|motivation
|work
Examples
- His drive and dedication impressed everyone.
- You need a lot of drive to run your own business.
- She has the drive to succeed in any field.
Learner examples
- He has a strong drive to win.
- She shows great drive at work.
- I need more drive to finish my studies.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
5
Computer data storage device
A part of a computer that keeps information and programs, like a hard disk or SSD.
Synonyms
disk drive (More specific term referring to devices that use disks as storage media.)
Antonyms
memory card (A different type of portable storage medium, often smaller and without moving parts.)
Collocations
hard drive
|flash drive
|external drive
Themes
technology
Examples
- I need to replace the hard drive in my laptop.
- She saved the files on an external drive.
- The computer can't find the boot drive.
Learner examples
- My computer has a big hard drive.
- I use a flash drive for my homework.
- The files are on the external drive.
Grammar
Dictionary form
drive
IPA
GB/dɹˈaɪv/
US/dɹˈaɪv/
Syllables & stress
drive (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (drive)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: drive
- Plural: drive, drives
Verb
- Base: drive
- 3rd Person Singular: drives
- Present Participle: driving
- Past: drove
- Past Participle: driven
Word family
Forms
drives
noun
driving
verb
drove
verb
driven
verb
Core family
driver
noun A1
Related words
driveway
noun
Negative and opposite forms
driverless
adjective
Advanced or less common
drivable
adjective
Highlights
- Irregular past: drove Verb
- Irregular past participle: driven Verb
Expressions
drive home (a point)
1/dɹˈaɪv hˈoʊm ə pˈɔɪnt/
idiom
Emphasize an idea strongly and clearly
To say something in a strong way so people understand it well.
Examples
- The teacher drove home the importance of studying every day.
- He used statistics to drive home his argument.
drive up prices
1/dɹˈaɪv ˈʌp pɹˈaɪsɪz/
fixed phrase
Cause prices to rise sharply
To make the cost of something go higher.
Examples
- The shortage of goods drove up prices.
- High demand is driving up housing costs.
go for a drive
1/ɡˈoʊ fɚ ə dɹˈaɪv/
fixed phrase
Take a trip in a vehicle for pleasure or travel
To travel in a car or other vehicle for fun or to get somewhere.
Examples
- We decided to go for a drive along the coast.
- Let's go for a drive and see the countryside.
Sunday drive
1/sˈʌndˌeɪ dɹˈaɪv/
fixed phrase
Leisurely vehicle trip usually on Sunday for fun
A slow and relaxing trip in a car, often on Sunday, for fun.
Examples
- They took a Sunday drive through the countryside.
- A Sunday drive is our weekend tradition.
drive someone crazy
1/dɹˈaɪv sˈʌmwˌʌn kɹˈeɪzi/
idiom
informal
Annoy or upset greatly
To make someone feel very annoyed, upset, or stressed.
Examples
- The constant noise from the construction is driving me crazy.
- The constant noise is driving me crazy.
- Her constant complaining drives everyone crazy.
- Her questions were driving him crazy by the end of the day.