Ever wondered whether the plural of “bus” is busses or buses? 🚍
You’re not alone — it’s one of those English spelling confusions that trip up even native speakers. Both forms exist, both look correct, and you’ll probably spot each in books or online. But the truth is: only one spelling is standard, while the other has a different meaning altogether.
Although “busses” looks like it could simply mean “more than one bus,” it’s actually used for something else in modern English. “Buses” is the preferred and correct plural when talking about vehicles or transportation.
Let’s break down what each word means, where it’s used, and how to choose the right one — with examples, quick comparisons, and fun memory tips!
What Is “Buses”?
✅ “Buses” is the correct and standard plural form of “bus.”
It refers to multiple large motor vehicles designed to carry passengers, typically on fixed routes.
1. Definition
Buses (noun): The plural of “bus,” referring to public transportation vehicles that carry passengers.
Examples:
- “Several buses were delayed due to heavy traffic.”
- “The school operates two yellow buses.”
- “Electric buses are becoming more common in cities.”
🎯 Meaning: When you’re talking about transportation, “buses” is always correct.
2. Grammar and Origin
The word “bus” originated from “omnibus,” a Latin word meaning “for all.”
Originally, “omnibus” referred to horse-drawn vehicles used to transport groups of people. Over time, it shortened to “bus”, and naturally, its plural became “buses.”
📖 Example from Oxford English Dictionary:
“The company operates 15 electric buses across the region.”
3. Usage Across English Variants
| English Variant | Standard Plural | Example |
|---|---|---|
| American English | Buses | “The city replaced all diesel buses.” |
| British English | Buses | “London buses are iconic red double-deckers.” |
| Canadian / Australian | Buses | “School buses operate in all rural areas.” |
✅ Universal Rule: No matter which version of English you use — “buses” is correct everywhere.
What Is “Busses”?
❌ “Busses” is a less common and often incorrect spelling of the plural “bus” — but it does exist in English, just with a different meaning.
1. Alternate Meaning
Busses (verb/noun): The plural of “buss,” which means “to kiss.”
Examples:
- “The couple exchanged tender busses under the mistletoe.” 💋
- “She greeted her child with hugs and busses.”
🎯 Meaning: “Busses” is not about vehicles — it’s about kisses!
So, if you write “three busses arrived at the station,” you’re technically saying “three kisses arrived at the station” — and that’s definitely not what you mean. 😅
2. Historical Note
The word “buss” (meaning kiss) dates back to the 16th century, from Middle English bussen. It’s now rarely used except in poetry or older literature, though grammatically valid.
Example (Literary):
“He gave her gentle busses upon her brow.” — William Shakespeare (paraphrased style)
3. Why People Confuse Them
Because “buss” and “bus” differ by only one letter, many people assume “busses” is the plural of “bus.” But in modern writing, it’s considered incorrect or archaic.
Today’s dictionaries, grammar guides, and stylebooks — from Oxford, Merriam-Webster, to APA — all recognize “buses” as the only accepted plural for vehicles.
Key Differences Between “Busses” and “Buses”
| Aspect | Buses | Busses |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Plural of “bus” (vehicles for transport) | Plural of “buss” (archaic word for “kiss”) |
| Correctness in Modern English | ✅ Correct | ⚠️ Rare / Outdated |
| Used In | Transportation, travel, logistics | Poetry, old literature |
| Example | “Two buses broke down.” | “The lovers exchanged sweet busses.” |
| Pronunciation | /ˈbʌsɪz/ | /ˈbʌsɪz/ (same sound, different meaning) |
| Common Mistake | None | Used instead of “buses” by mistake |
🎯 Quick Rule:
If it’s about vehicles → buses
If it’s about kisses → busses
Real-Life Conversation Examples
Dialogue 1: Common Mistake
Friend A: “I missed two busses this morning!”
Friend B: “You mean buses. Unless you were kissing them!” 😄
🎯 Lesson: “Buses” = correct plural for vehicles.
Dialogue 2: Romantic Mix-Up
Writer: “I wrote ‘sweet busses of farewell’ in my poem.”
Editor: “That’s fine — just make sure readers know you mean kisses, not vehicles!”
🎯 Lesson: “Busses” = old-fashioned word for kisses.
Dialogue 3: Grammar Class
Student: “Are both ‘busses’ and ‘buses’ correct?”
Teacher: “Technically, yes — but only ‘buses’ means vehicles. Use ‘busses’ for poetry or fun.”
🎯 Lesson: Both exist, but use the right one for the right meaning.
When to Use “Buses” vs “Busses”
| Context | Correct Word | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Talking about vehicles | Buses | “City buses stop every 10 minutes.” |
| Writing a poem about love | Busses | “Their parting busses were gentle.” |
| Academic / Professional writing | Buses | “All buses are equipped with Wi-Fi.” |
| Everyday conversation | Buses | “How many buses run this route?” |
| Historical or literary usage | Busses | “The old novel described ‘busses’ fondly.” |
🎯 Rule of Thumb:
99% of the time → use buses.
Only use busses if you’re being poetic or referencing kisses. 💋
Fun Fact or History Section
🚌 Did You Know?
- The word “bus” first appeared in 1832 as a short form of omnibus, meaning “for everyone.”
- Early London buses were horse-drawn carriages before turning motorized.
- The phrase “bus stop” entered English in the early 1900s.
- Meanwhile, “buss” as a kiss is centuries older — it was used in Shakespearean English, long before buses even existed!
So, the two words have completely different roots and histories — one is Latin, one is Old English.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| ❌ Incorrect | ✅ Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| “The city added five new busses.” | “The city added five new buses.” | “Buses” is correct plural for vehicles. |
| “We took two school busses.” | “We took two school buses.” | Always use “buses” in modern English. |
| “The poem describes sweet buses.” | “The poem describes sweet busses.” | “Busses” = kisses, used in poetry. |
Memory Tip: “Buses Drive, Busses Kiss” 💡
Here’s a simple way to remember the difference:
🚌 Buses drive people.
💋 Busses kiss people.
If you’re talking about transportation, pick the shorter word (buses).
If you’re being romantic or poetic, you can use busses — but it’s rare!
Mini Practice Quiz
Pick the correct word 👇
- “Two ___ were late this morning.” → Buses ✅
- “She gave her child hugs and ___ before leaving.” → Busses ✅
- “Electric ___ are better for the environment.” → Buses ✅
- “The lovers exchanged sweet ___.” → Busses ✅
🎯 Answers: Buses, Busses, Buses, Busses
Conclusion
In short, “buses” is the standard plural of “bus”, and that’s the word you should use in almost every situation.
“Busses”, while grammatically valid, belongs to a completely different word — “buss,” meaning kiss.
So next time you write about vehicles, remember:
✅ Buses take people places.
💋 Busses show affection.
