A runabout is a small, simple car for short trips — to the shops, to school, across town — not for a long drive. The picture is of a car you “run about” in, popping here and there. The word feels a little old now, especially to young people; they are more likely to say a small car or a city car. You will still meet it in older British writing, and sometimes in car talk. It is informal, and it never means a fast sports car, even though run might make you think of speed. Though actually, the same spelling has also been used for a small boat you potter about in, and long ago for a person who runs from place to place. This entry is the car.

短程小汽車（偏舊。不是台灣口語裡的「代步車」，那常指老人電動車）