noun · neutral
traffic lights
/ˈtræfɪk laɪts/TRAF·fic LIGHTS
Band 4-5speakingtask2
coloured lights that control traffic at junctions or crossings
Examples
“When the traffic lights turned red, we had to stop.”
“The traffic lights near my house are broken.”
“Be careful at traffic lights when you cycle.”
Band 8 sentence
“The council plans to synchronise the traffic lights along the main route to reduce congestion during peak hours.”
Collocations
- turn the traffic lights red
- break the traffic lights
- wait at the traffic lights
Word family
traffic light noun (singular)
Common mistakes
The traffic lights is broken.→The traffic lights are broken.
Stop on the traffic lights.→Stop at the traffic lights.
Say it for a higher band
5red light→6traffic light→7+traffic lights
Synonyms
signal
Easily confused
road signs
“You must obey road signs indicating the speed limit.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Transport & Traffic
Learn it with its set