chauffeur

1 of 2

noun

chauf·​feur ˈshō-fər  shō-ˈfər 

: a person employed to drive a motor vehicle

chauffeur

2 of 2

verb

chauffeured; chauffeuring ˈshō-f(ə-)riŋ 

shō-ˈfər-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to do the work of a chauffeur

chauffeured for a millionaire

transitive verb

1

: to transport in the manner of a chauffeur

chauffeurs the children to school

2

: to operate (something, such as an automobile) as chauffeur

chauffeur a limousine

Did you know?

The first chauffeurs were people employed to stoke a steam engine and keep it running. The literal meaning of the French noun chauffeur (from the verb chauffer, meaning "to heat") is "one that heats." In the early days of automobiles, French speakers extended the word to those who drove the "horseless carriage," and it eventually developed an extended sense specifically for someone hired to drive other people. It was this latter sense that was borrowed into English in the late 19th century. Incidentally, the French word chauffeur derives from the same Anglo-French word that gave English speakers the verb chafe, and ultimately can be traced back to the Latin verb calēre ("to be warm").

Examples of chauffeur in a Sentence

Verb

He chauffeurs for a millionaire.

She was chauffeured to the airport.

He chauffeured his client to the hotel.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Opulence has all these perks, plus a private chauffeur transfer, a more generous baggage allowance, free booking changes and, starting in July, use of an Apple Vision Pro. —Daniel Ross, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024

Currently, the company is a far cry from achieving anything close to it; its only working tunnel so far is a 2.4-mile stretch of tunnel in Las Vegas that operates like a Tesla chauffeur service for Las Vegas Convention Center attendees. —Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024

The company charges an automatic 20% chauffeur gratuity on all rides, and drivers can still accept additional cash tips, Samuels said. —Harriet Baskas, NBC News, 11 Feb. 2024

The 1963 Japanese movie told of a shoe executive that was in the middle of a complex corporate takeover when his plans are derailed by the accidental kidnapping and ransom of his chauffeur’s son, instead of his own son. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2024

Visitors can peek into the living quarters of the wealthy and quirky former owners of the historic house, the Bartletts, who began construction in 1920 and once slept in the large, airy master bedroom, with their maids, chauffeur and famous guests in adjacent suites. —Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2024

For now, two burgundy, custom Rolls-Royces are available to chauffeur guests around the city and also make sleek work of the 20-minute drive from Dubai International Airport. —Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2024

Brown plays Joseph Spell, a chauffeur accused of rape by a wealthy white socialite (Kate Hudson). —Kelly Martinez, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2024

But Musk’s own Boring Company, despite abandoning most projects and facing further problems, is now looking to expand a short tunnel system that presently connects two ends of the Las Vegas Convention Center with a subterranean track allowing Tesla chauffeurs to ferry riders back and forth. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 4 Feb. 2024

Verb

In his engrossing performance as the patriarch of an impoverished but scheming household, Song’s nonchalant effervescence slowly morphs into rage as the experience of chauffeuring a wealthy man ultimately drives him to violence. —The New York Times Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024

The North Korean leader is often seen being chauffeured in what’s believed to be a Mercedes-Maybach Pullman Guard armored limousine, worth upwards of $1 million. —Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 19 Feb. 2024

Bentley allows buyers who prefer being chauffeured in full back seat comfort to have split rear seats by speccing the interior with a full length center console. —Kyle Edward, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024

What's less common is being chauffeured for that ride by the company's CEO. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 19 Jan. 2024

Guests staying in the Sky Suites are chauffeured from the airport and taken to a private lounge to check in. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 17 Feb. 2024

In the station, a Boring Company employee ushers riders into an available Tesla vehicle, and a Boring driver chauffeurs them through the narrow, single-lane tunnels at a speed of up to 40 miles per hour. —Byjessica Mathews, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023

For wealthy folks who like to be chauffeured, the Lexus LM with the four-seat configuration provides a unique experience. —Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 19 Apr. 2023

Hegarty, moonlighting as a limo driver/security detail, is chauffeuring a couple of VIPs. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

French, literally, stoker, from chauffer to heat, from Old French chaufer — more at chafe

First Known Use

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1917, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

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Kids Definition

chauffeur

1 of 2 noun

chauf·​feur ˈshō-fər  shō-ˈfər 

: a person employed to drive people in a car

chauffeur

2 of 2 verb

chauffeured; chauffeuring ˈshō-f(ə-)riŋ 

shō-ˈfər-iŋ

1

: to do the work of a chauffeur

2

: to transport as or as if as a chauffeur

chauffeured the children to school

Etymology

Noun

from French chauffeur "driver," literally, "stoker," from chauffer "to heat"

Word Origin

It seems odd that the word chauffeur, meaning "one who drives an automobile for another," should come from the French verb chauffer, meaning "to heat." The title comes from the early days of automobiles, when they were still curious, rare, and, to many people, funny. Automobiles were noisy, produced clouds of smoke, and seemed to require a great deal of work to keep them running. To many people they were like the steam engines used to pull trains. Chauffeur, the French word for the "stoker," or person who kept the fire going in an engine, was used for anyone driving an automobile. Later the term was used only for a person hired to drive someone else's car.