A cabbie is a taxi driver. The word is a friendly, informal way to refer to someone who drives a cab (which is short for taxicab) for a living.

When you need a ride somewhere in a city and you hail a yellow taxi on the street or call for one, the person behind the wheel is the cabbie. Cabbies know their cities inside and out: they memorize shortcuts, understand traffic patterns, and can usually get you where you need to go faster than your GPS might suggest. In cities like New York or London, becoming a cabbie requires passing difficult tests about street layouts and city geography.

A good cabbie might chat with passengers, share stories about interesting people they've met, or offer restaurant recommendations. Some prefer quiet rides and just focus on driving safely. Either way, cabbies provide an essential service, getting people to airports, hospitals, meetings, and homes at all hours of the day and night.