Phrase guide

designated driver

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A person who avoids drinking alcohol at a social engagement for the purpose of driving their companions home.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: DD

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the member of a party who is designated to refrain from alcohol and so is sober when it is time to drive home

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: driver

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: bob — Individual not drinking for the purpose of driving their companions home
  • Finnish: juoppokuski — Individual not drinking for the purpose of driving their companions home
  • French: conducteur désigné — Individual not drinking for the purpose of driving their companions home
  • French: bob — Individual not drinking for the purpose of driving their companions home
  • Portuguese: piloto da vez — Individual not drinking for the purpose of driving their companions home