trail
To follow behind (someone or something); to tail (someone or something).
Verb 4 meanings
To follow behind (someone or something); to tail (someone or something).
“The hunters trailed their prey deep into the woods.”
To drag (something) behind on the ground.
“You'll get your coat all muddy if you trail it around like that.”
To leave (a trail of).
“He walked into the house, soaking wet, and trailed water all over the place.”
To show a trailer of (a film, TV show etc.); to release or publish a preview of (a report etc.) in advance of the full publication.
“His new film was trailed on TV last night.”
Noun 4 meanings
The track or indication marking the route followed by something that has passed, such as the footprints of animal on land or the contrail of an airplane in the sky.
“The trail has gone cold.”
A route for travel over land, especially a narrow, unpaved pathway for use by hikers, horseback riders, etc.
A route or circuit generally.
“Politicians are on the campaign trail in preparation for this year's election.”
A trailer broadcast on television for a forthcoming film or programme.
Etymology
From Middle English trailen, from Old French trailler (“to tow; pick up the scent of a quarry”), from Vulgar Latin *tragulāre (“to drag”), from Latin tragula (“dragnet, javelin thrown by a strap”), probably related to Latin trahere (“to pull, drag along”).
Similar and opposite words
TRAIL at a glance
TRAIL has 5 letters and scores 5 points in Scrabble (T 1 + R 1 + A 1 + I 1 + L 1) and 6 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #3,275 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with trail
All rhymesOne letter away
- TRAIN5
- TRAIT5
- GRAIL6
- FRAIL8
- TRAWL8
- BRAIL7
- DRAIL6
- TRAIK9
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