pedestrian

[puh-des-tree-uhn]

noun

1. a person who goes or travels on foot; walker.

adjective

1. going or performed on foot; walking.

2. of or relating to walking.

3. lacking in vitality, imagination, distinction, etc.; commonplace; prosaic or dull.

   a pedestrian commencement speech.

pedestrian

/ pɪˈdɛstrɪən /

noun

1. 1. a person travelling on foot; walker

   2. ( as modifier )

      a pedestrian precinct

adjective

1. dull; commonplace

   a pedestrian style of writing

Other Word Forms

• nonpedestrian noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedestrian¹

1710–20; < Latin pedestri- (stem of pedester on foot, derivative of pēs (stem ped- ); pedi- ) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedestrian¹

C18: from Latin pedester, from pēs foot

Example Sentences

At one point during the chase, which was broadcast live on KTLA, the big rig pulled to the side of the road and its passenger communicated with a pedestrian before moving on.

From Los Angeles Times

Motorists could be heard beeping their horns and playing loud music, while pedestrians danced, sang and chanted "adadi", which means father in the local Chichewa language.

From BBC

And he filmed many a sketch with Hollywood itself as the bizarro backdrop — including one returning bit called “Who’s High?” in which he tried to guess which of three pedestrians was stoned.

From Los Angeles Times

A Los Angeles Police Department vehicle fatally struck a pedestrian in Highland Park while on duty Friday night, authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

One video depicts pedestrians in Katara running and screaming in fear as a pair of explosions echo through the neighborhood.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• banal 
• humdrum 
• mediocre 
• mundane 
• plodding www.thesaurus.com
• prosaic 

When To Use

What does pedestrian mean?

A pedestrian is a person who travels by foot—a walker. The term is especially used in the context of road safety to distinguish people walking from people driving or riding bikes.In this sense, the word is also commonly used as an adjective to refer to things involving pedestrians, such as in pedestrian crossing, pedestrian safety, and pedestrian walkway.Example: Pedestrians will continue to be struck by cars unless we improve and enforce pedestrian safety laws. Pedestrian is also a negative term for something considered mediocre, uninspired, or lacking in originality. It’s especially used in artistic criticism, such as in reviews of music, movies, fashion, or food. Calling something pedestrian is typically considered an insult.Example: Don’t you think that sweater is a little pedestrian? You want to dress to impress, right?