tuk-tuk

noun

ˈtu̇k-ˌtu̇k 

plural tuk-tuks

: a small motorized three-wheeled passenger vehicle with open sides and a covered top often used as a taxi especially in Asia : a motorized rickshaw

Everyone zigs and zags, overtaking cars, semis, tuk-tuks, coaches, and motorbikes, sometimes with three vehicles sharing two narrow lanes.

—Norma Meyer

In California, Hughes Aircraft is working on an electric version of Bangkok's foul-smelling taxi, the two-stroke, three-wheeled tuk-tuk.

—Jean Seligmann

… explore Thailand from the north to the south via trains, sailing vessels, tuk-tuks …

—Russ Furnas

Examples of tuk-tuk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Turtle Point Known as Turtle Point on Google Maps, this small bay is a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride from Hiriketiya. — Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026

For an afternoon, riding through the city streets in the open-air tuk-tuk, looking for what might have been his handiwork was a good time. — Matt Ozug, NPR, 17 June 2026

Located off a busy main road in the heart of the city, most of the city’s main attractions are either a short walk or a tuk-tuk ride away. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Thai túk túk, of imitative origin

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tuk-tuk

• amok
• amuck
• awestruck
• dumbstruck
• potluck
• roebuck
• unstuck
• woodchuck
• chuck
• cluck
• duck
• huck