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jaywalker

One who jaywalks; someone who has committed jaywalking.-->.

ˈd͡ʒeɪ.wɔkɚDocumented since 1910s1910sSilenthistorical144 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🗺️ Regional & Other
2 definitions
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Etymology timeline

Born ~1917 · no dated citations yet
1917BornToday, 2026

Definitions

#1·Apr 27, 2026

One who jaywalks; someone who has committed jaywalking.-->.

Origin: From ; a pedestrian who doesn't pay attention to the road, endangering themselves and obstructing horses, carts, and automobiles. First use appears c. 1917 in ''Harper's Magazine''. Coined in analogy to the older turn-of-the-20th-century term a driver who doesn't pay attention to the road, endangering horses, carts, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Promoted by driving enthusiasts and automotive concerns to clear the roads of obstructive pedestrians by making it illegal to walk in the middle of roads. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

Jaywalker means: One who jaywalks; someone who has committed jaywalking.-->.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up. For most families this word will pass by without incident; it is more a vocabulary curiosity than a parenting concern.

For ESL learners

jaywalker means: One who jaywalks; someone who has committed jaywalking.-->.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.

Cluster: general
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(US) A person who violates pedestrian traffic regulations by crossing a street away from a designated crossing or who walks on the part of the street intended for vehicles instead of the part designated for pedestrians.

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For specific readers

Jaywalker means: One who jaywalks; someone who has committed jaywalking.-->.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up. For most families this word will pass by without incident; it is more a vocabulary curiosity than a parenting concern.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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