trail

noun
UK: /treɪl/
US: /treɪl/

  1. A path through a countryside, woodland, or mountainous region, often unpaved and used for walking, hiking, or biking.

    1. We walked the trail by the river. [ ] [ ]
    2. The mountain trail offers stunning views, but it is very challenging. [ ] [ ]

  2. A series of marks or signs left behind by someone or something.

    1. The dog followed the trail of crumbs. [ ] [ ]
    2. The detective followed the trail of evidence to solve the case. [ ] [ ]

  3. A route or course followed by something, especially a road or railway line.

    1. The train follows a scenic trail. [ ] [ ]
    2. The wagon trail was long and dusty in the summer heat. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

follow stream extend path drag way track pursue road route shadow
trail intransitive-verb

  1. To follow behind someone or something, typically in a slow or hesitant way.

    1. The child trailed behind his mother. [ ] [ ]
    2. The team trailed behind in the score throughout the game. [ ] [ ]

  2. To let something drag along the ground or water behind you.

    1. Her dress trailed on the floor. [ ] [ ]
    2. The boat trailed a rope behind it. [ ] [ ]

  3. To be losing a game or competition.

    1. Our team is trailing by ten points. [ ] [ ]
    2. The candidate trailed in the polls leading up to the election. [ ] [ ]
trail transitive-verb

  1. To pull (something) along behind, usually on the ground.

    1. She trailed her hand in the water. [ ] [ ]
    2. He trailed the microphone cord across the stage during the performance. [ ] [ ]

  2. To follow the tracks or scent of (game or another animal).

    1. They trailed the deer through the forest. [ ] [ ]
    2. The hunters trailed the elusive prey for days across the open plains. [ ] [ ]
trail phrasal-verb

  1. To diminish gradually in volume or intensity.

    1. Her voice trailed off at the end. [ ] [ ]
    2. The music trailed away into silence as the concert concluded. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "trail" in English means: A path through a countryside, woodland, or mountainous region, often unpaved and used for walking, hiking, or biking., A series of marks or signs left behind by someone or something., A route or course followed by something, especially a road or railway line..

The phonetic transcription of "trail" is /treɪl/ in British English and /treɪl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "trail": follow, stream, extend, path, drag, way, track, pursue, road, route, shadow.

Example usage of "trail": "We walked the trail by the river.". More examples on the page.