commute

To travel regularly between home and work or school.

• I commute by train.
• She commuted to work for ten years.
• How far do you commute each day?

How to use it: commute to somewhere (She commutes to London every weekday.); commute from A to B (He commutes from his village to the city.); commute by train/bus/car (I commute by bus.)

Common phrases: commute to work, commute by train, commute from home

To replace a duty, payment, or punishment with a different, usually less demanding one.

• The governor agreed to commute the sentence.
• They commuted the annual payment for a fixed sum.
• The court commuted his prison term to community service.

How to use it: commute something to something (The court commuted his sentence to a fine.); commute something for something (She commuted her pension for a single payment.)

Similar words: convert, exchange

Common phrases: commute a sentence, commute a pension, commute a payment

To pay one amount in advance instead of making several smaller payments.

• They chose to commute the daily toll.
• He commuted the monthly fees by paying one sum in advance.
• Can residents commute these charges for a yearly payment?

How to use it: commute something for something (Travellers could commute the daily toll for an annual pass.)

Similar words: prepay

Common phrases: commute a toll, commute the fees

A regular journey between your home and your work or school.

• My commute takes an hour.
• Her daily commute became shorter after she moved.
• Do you read during your commute?

How to use it: commute to somewhere (My commute to work takes forty minutes.)

Common phrases: daily commute, long commute, commute to work