Standard Lemma guide

doughnutting

noun · verb · 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 method of fare evasion by buying tickets only covering the beginning and the end of a journey.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, uncountable

Examples

  • 2006, Carl Bro Group Ltd, FareXChange Scoping Study Final Report v1.0, section 8.6.1, Department for Transport, http://naptan.dft.gov.uk/transxchange/farexchange/FareXChange%20Scoping%20Study%20Final%20Report%20v1.0.pdf, Particular considerations apply to circumstances such as doughnutting when fare elements do not correspond to controllable elements, so there arises the opportunity for fare evasion.
  • 2012, WickedWolfie, reply to South West Trains. Liars? Thieves? Generally unhelpful., MoneySavingExpert Forum, https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/57775841/#Comment_57775841, The post before you (rightly) says that overriding season tickets is a regular fare con, as is doughnutting (having tickets for the start and the end of the journey with a gap - often large - in the middle), the latter exposes the limitations of ticket gates.....
  • 2014, scottwalds, Re: [Mega Hot tea] Penalty fares on trains, Tony's Non-League Forum, https://web.archive.org/web/20220120132212/https://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/forum/gforum.cgi?post=561451#561451, There is a technique known as doughnutting, where you buy a ticket covering your first and last stops, to allow you to pass through the ticket barriers at both ends.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: dumbbelling

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

present participle and gerund of doughnut

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From doughnut. When this method of fare evasion is used on the London Underground, the area covered by the ticket looks like a doughnut, with a hole in the middle.