driver

UK: ˈdraɪvə | US: ˈdraɪvər

Definition
  1. n. a person who operates a vehicle (e.g., car, bus)

  2. n. a tool or device that drives something (e.g., screwdriver)

  3. n. (computing) software that controls hardware

Structure
drive <to propel forward>er <agent suffix>
Etymology

The word "driver" combines the verb "drive" (from Old English drīfan, meaning "to push or propel") with the agent suffix "-er," which denotes a person or thing performing an action. Originally tied to physical propulsion (e.g., driving livestock), its meaning expanded to include operating vehicles and later, in computing, controlling hardware. The suffix "-er" is a productive morpheme in English, consistently forming nouns from verbs.

Examples
  1. The taxi driver took the shortest route to the airport.

  2. She used a screwdriver to assemble the furniture.

  3. The printer won’t work without the correct driver.

  4. He’s a cautious driver who always obeys speed limits.

  5. The bus driver announced the next stop.