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drive

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verb American English pronunciation: drive /draɪv/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theydrive
he/she/itdrives
present participledriving
past tensedrove
past participledriven
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive/transitive] to control a vehicle so that it moves somewhere

    Please drive carefully.

    Usually, my sister drives and I read the map.

    drive along/down/through etc.:

    He drove along for several miles before he saw anyone.

    drive something along/into etc.:

    He drove his truck into a wall.

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    1. a.
      [intransitive/transitive] to know how to drive a vehicle

      Can’t you drive?

      I’ve been driving for 15 years and I’ve never had an accident.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  driveThesaurus entry for this meaning of drive
    2. b.
      [intransitive] to get somewhere by driving a car

      We usually drive to Florida, but this year we’re flying.

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    3. c.
      [transitive] to take someone somewhere in a vehicle that you are driving

      Dad will drive us.

      drive someone to/from something:

      Lee drove me to the airport.

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    4. d.
      [transitive] to drive a particular type of vehicle regularly

      She drives a bus for a living.

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  2. 2
    [transitive] [often passive] to provide the power that makes something move

    The pump is driven by an electric motor.

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  4. 4
    [transitive] to force someone to leave a place, usually the place where they live
    drive someone from/out of/off/away from something:

    The rising flood waters had driven her out of the village.

    drive someone from/out of something:

    Thousands of people have been driven from their homes by the fighting.

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  5. 5
    [transitive] to force someone into a bad situation or state
    drive someone to do something:

    Desperation finally drove her to ask for help.

    drive someone to something:

    People are being driven to violence by police action.

    drive someone out of business:

    Supermarkets are driving small stores out of business.

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    1. a.
      [transitive] informal to annoy someone by doing something
      drive someone crazy/mad/up the wall:

      Will you stop that humming, you’re driving me crazy!

      drive someone to desperation/despair:

      Driven to desperation, he began to steal from his employer.

      drive someone to drink (=make someone feel very upset or annoyed):

      It’s enough to drive you to drink.

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  6. 6
    [transitive] to make someone determined to do something

    We want to find out what drives a successful businesswoman like Sylvia.

    Douglas was driven by a need to learn the truth.

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  7. 7
    [intransitive/transitive] to hit or kick a ball hard in a particular direction

    She drove the ball into the top corner of the goal, tying the score.

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  9. 9
    [transitive] to make someone work or try very hard

    The coach really drives his team, but he gets good results.

    drive yourself:

    We think you’ve been driving yourself too hard.

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See also

This is the American English definition of drive. View British English definition of drive.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

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