noun
jitney
JIT-nee/ˈdʒɪtni/
A small bus or shared taxi that charges a low fare.
A passenger boards the jitney and pays with a small coin.
Etymology
The usual explanation connects the vehicle with the slang name for a nickel, its typical fare. The direction of this connection was disputed, however, and early evidence for the coin sense is sparse.
More examples
- We share a jitney with three other passengers.
- Taking a jitney downtown costs less than hiring a taxi.
- Jitneys carry shoppers between the market and nearby neighborhoods.
Forms
jitney · jitneys
Similar words
- minibus
- Emphasizes a small passenger bus, not a low fare.
- shuttle
- Emphasizes repeated trips between set stops, not fare or size.