trip - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
trip Word Meanings
- to stumble or fall while walking
- a journey, especially for pleasure
- to cause someone to fall by tripping them
trip Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
trip Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/trɪp/
US
/trɪp/
trip Word Etymology
trip = tramp + ip (to stumble). Originated from Middle English ‘trippen’ (to skip, dance), from Old Norse ‘tripja’. Imagine a playful child skipping along a path, suddenly stumbling over a stone, bringing laughter and surprise.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I shift my weight as I step off the curb, foot pushing forward and trying to keep balance. An unexpected wobble slips in and my body tilts, a small trip that makes the ground feel farther away. I adjust my stance, catch myself, and keep moving, turning a stumble into a plan. Later, the same motion rings true as a journey: I map a route, pack a bag, and let the idea carry me forward.
Real Context
Trip has three main uses in English: as a verb meaning to stumble or fall while walking, as a noun meaning a journey or excursion, and as a verb phrase to trip someone, causing them to fall. When you trip over something, you stumble; to trip someone is to cause them to stumble. A trip can be a short local outing, a vacation, or a school field trip. You can say We took a trip to the coast or I am planning a business trip. The phrasal verb to trip up means to make a mistake or to stumble in speech or performance. Its etymology traces back to Middle English trippen and Old Norse tripja, implying playful movement that can surprise and amuse.
Usage Reminders
- Remember: 1) trip is both a noun and a verb; 2) distinguish trip (journey) from travel (movement); 3) use trip up for making a mistake; 4) know common collocations: take a trip, go on a trip; 5) beware phrasal verbs with trip such as trip over and trip someone.
Common Misconceptions
- Trip and travel can always be used interchangeably
- Trip only refers to long vacations
- To trip someone always means to physically push them
- Trip as a noun cannot describe a planned outing
- Trip up only appears in formal writing
Thinking Differences
For English speakers, trip blends a concrete sense of a planned outing with a physical act of stumbling. Learners often mix the two senses or misplace prepositions around on, over, or to go on a trip. Think about context: if the focus is travel, use trip as a noun; if the focus is a stumble, use trip as a verb with over/into.
Learning Tips
- Practice both senses in short dialog: one about planning a trip, another about tripping over something.
- memorize common collocations: take a trip, go on a trip, trip over, trip someone.
- Use phrasal verbs: trip up, trip someone up in a sentence.
- Label pictures: a person walking vs a person stumbling.
- Compare with travel and journey to feel subtle meaning shifts.
- Check pronunciation: trip vs trip up, note the stress pattern.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'trip'?
A.A gift
B.A residence
C.An illness
D.A journey or excursion
Step 2: Usage
In which of the following sentences is 'trip' used correctly?
A.He tripped us with a present.
B.She tripped and fell on the sidewalk.
C.I tripped in that city for a month.
D.They took the house for a trip.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which of the following is a similar word to 'trip'?
A.Voyage
B.Expansion
C.Decrease
D.Separation
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'trip'?
A.Stay
B.Enjoy
C.Infiltrate
D.Conceal
Step 5: Mastery
Can you give an example of a real-life context where 'trip' is used?
A.Watching a movie at home
B.Buying groceries for the week
C.Taking a long nap
D.Going on a camping trip with friends
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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