pedestrian
Americannoun
adjective
-
going or performed on foot; walking.
-
of or relating to walking.
-
lacking in vitality, imagination, distinction, etc.; commonplace; prosaic or dull.
a pedestrian commencement speech.
noun
adjective
Usage
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?
Other Word Forms
- nonpedestrian noun
Etymology
Origin of pedestrian
1710–20; < Latin pedestri- (stem of pedester on foot, derivative of pēs (stem ped- ); pedi- ) + -an
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While today’s numbers look pedestrian, it’s about where the indexes came from: The Nasdaq was down nearly 2.2% at its low on Thursday, while the S&P was down 1.5%.
From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026
In a statement, ZET said: “We embrace and include active transit solutions to increase pedestrian and bike access throughout the project area.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026
The timber and wood products play is having a pedestrian 2026 so far, with a return of 2%.
From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026
In my case, I suspect I’d end up using it for rather pedestrian things.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026
He seems content too, ignoring the fluttering birds and the occasional pedestrian.
From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
