Trips: meaning, definitions and examples

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trips

 

[ trɪps ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

travel

A journey or excursion, especially for pleasure.

Synonyms

excursion, journey, tour, voyage.

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Word Description / Examples
journey

A long travel experience, usually emphasizing the process of traveling and the distance covered, rather than the destination.

  • Their journey across the country took several weeks
  • She documented her journey through the desert in her blog
excursion

A short journey or outing, often for leisure or educational purposes, usually returning to the original location the same day.

  • The school organized an excursion to the science museum
  • We went on an excursion to the nearby caves
tour

A travel experience where one visits multiple destinations, often organized by a guide or tour company. It suggests an itinerary or planned route.

  • We booked a guided tour of the ancient ruins
  • The band went on a tour of Europe
voyage

A long journey, especially by sea or in space, often involving exploration or long-distance travel. It can carry a sense of adventure.

  • His voyage across the Atlantic was filled with challenges
  • The spaceship embarked on a voyage to Mars

Examples of usage

  • We are planning a trip to Europe next summer.
  • I love going on road trips with my friends.
Context #2 | Noun

slip or stumble

An instance of losing one's balance and falling.

Synonyms

fall, slip, stumble.

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Word Description / Examples
trips

Used generally to describe someone losing balance and almost falling, often due to catching their foot on something.

  • She trips over the curb almost every time
  • He trips while walking up the stairs
stumble

Used to describe a momentary loss of balance often due to awkward footing or uneven ground. It implies a brief imbalance rather than a complete fall.

  • He stumbled over the rocks on the path
  • She stumbled in the dark while looking for the light switch
slip

Used to describe losing balance, usually due to a slippery surface, resulting in a fall or near-fall. Often happens in wet or icy conditions.

  • She slipped on the wet floor
  • Be careful not to slip on the icy pavement
fall

Used when someone loses balance and comes down suddenly from a higher to a lower position, often hitting the ground.

  • He had a nasty fall while skiing
  • The vase will break if it falls off the table

Examples of usage

  • She had a bad trip and fell down the stairs.
  • Be careful not to trip on that step.
Context #3 | Verb

cause to stumble

To cause someone to lose their balance and fall.

Synonyms

fall, slip, stumble.

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Word Description / Examples
trips

Used when someone loses their balance and almost falls, often unexpectedly. It can be caused by an obstacle on the ground or a sudden loss of footing.

  • She trips over the uneven pavement and quickly regains her balance.
  • He trips on a toy left in the hallway.
stumble

Describes the act of tripping or making a mistake while walking or moving, often resulting in a temporary loss of balance without necessarily falling.

  • He stumbles over a rock but manages to keep walking.
  • She stumbles in the dark room, trying to find the light switch.
slip

Happens when something moves suddenly and uncontrollably, often due to a loss of friction with the surface (e.g., walking on ice or a wet floor).

  • She slips on the icy sidewalk.
  • Be careful not to slip on the wet bathroom floor.
fall

Occurs when someone or something moves downward, typically hitting the ground. It is often used for unintentional descent.

  • He loses his balance and falls down the stairs.
  • The vase falls off the shelf and shatters.

Examples of usage

  • The rug tripped me up and I fell.
  • She intentionally tripped him as he walked by.

Translations

Translations of the word "trips" in other languages:

🇵🇹 viagens

🇮🇳 यात्राएं

🇩🇪 Reisen

🇮🇩 perjalanan

🇺🇦 подорожі

🇵🇱 podróże

🇯🇵 旅行

🇫🇷 voyages

🇪🇸 viajes

🇹🇷 seyahatler

🇰🇷 여행

🇸🇦 رحلات

🇨🇿 cesty

🇸🇰 cesty

🇨🇳 旅行

🇸🇮 potovanja

🇮🇸 ferðir

🇰🇿 сапарлар

🇬🇪 მოგზაურობები

🇦🇿 səyahətlər

🇲🇽 viajes

Etymology

The word 'trip' originated from the Middle English 'trippen', which meant 'to step lightly or quickly'. It evolved over time to refer to a journey or excursion. The use of 'trip' to describe a stumble or fall dates back to the 16th century, adding a second layer of meaning to the word. Today, 'trip' is commonly used in both contexts, reflecting its diverse history and multifaceted nature.

See also: trip, triplet, trippy.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,303 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.