verb
trail
trayl
verb
1
To follow closely behind someone or something.
"The puppy trailed behind her on the walk."
"Detectives trailed the suspect for three days."
2
To drag something loosely behind while moving, or to hang down loosely.
"Her scarf trailed in the mud."
3
To be losing or behind in a race, game, or competition.
"The home team trailed by two goals at half-time."
noun
1
A mark or path left by something that has passed, or a route used for walking or hiking.
"We followed the trail up the mountain."
"The comet left a bright trail across the sky."
How to Use Trail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo follow or drag behind something, or a path/mark left behind by movement.
Common pairings
hiking trail
trail behind
trail by (a score)
leave a trail
Word Forms
trailed past tense, trails plural, trails singular
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Etymology
From Old French trailler ("to tow, or track a scent"), ultimately from Latin trahere, "to pull or drag."