commute

/kəˈmjuːt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: commutes · commuting · commuted

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To exchange substantially; to abate but not abolish completely, a penalty, obligation, or payment in return for a great, single thing or an aggregate; to cash in; to lessen

Verb

Examples

to commute tithes into rentcharges for a sum

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To exchange substantially; to abate but not abolish completely, a penalty, obligation, or payment in return for a great, single thing or an aggregate; to cash in; to lessen — To pay, or arrange to pay, in advance, in a lump sum instead of part by part.

Verb

Examples

to commute the daily toll for a year's pass

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A regular journey between two places, typically home and work.

Noun

Examples

If you're hearing me then it means your ego has been commuted successfully into this CAT with zero errors. Only one warning by the way: it may take a moment to acclimatize to being a bodyless ego, but try not to worry too much.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

The route, time or distance of that journey.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “commute” mean?

To exchange substantially; to abate but not abolish completely, a penalty, obligation, or payment in return for a great, single thing or an aggregate; to cash in; to lessen

Is “commute” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.