Cab and taxi are two words we use to refer to a type of vehicle for hire with a driver. Although some people assume that these two words have different meanings, this is not so. In fact, there is no difference between cab and taxi. Both these words are used interchangeably throughout English-speaking countries.

Historically and in 2026, the terms "cab" and "taxi" are mostly interchangeable, but they have different linguistic roots. "Cab" is short for cabriolet, a 19th-century French horse-drawn carriage for hire. "Taxi" is short for taxicab, derived from the "taximeter"—the mechanical device used to calculate fares based on distance and time. In modern usage, "taxi" is the more global, formal term, while "cab" is often more colloquial, particularly in cities like London and New York. In some regions, a "cab" might refer specifically to the traditional "black cab" or "yellow cab," whereas "taxi" might encompass a broader range of licensed vehicles. With the rise of ride-sharing in 2026, the distinction has further blurred, though "taxi" remains the official term used by government regulatory bodies for vehicles authorized to be hailed on the street or at designated stands.