trip

1 of 2

verb

ˈtrip 

tripped; tripping

intransitive verb

1

: to catch the foot against something so as to stumble

2

: to make a mistake or false step (as in morality or accuracy)

3

a

: to dance, skip, or caper with light quick steps

b

: to walk with light quick steps

4

: to stumble in articulation when speaking

5

: to make a journey

6

a

: to actuate a mechanism

b

: to become operative

7

a

: to get high on a psychedelic drug (such as LSD) : turn on

—often used with out

b

slang : freak sense 3b

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to stumble

—often used with up

b

: to cause to fail : obstruct

—often used with up

2

: to detect in a misstep, fault, or blunder

also : expose

—usually used with up

3

: to release or operate (a mechanism) especially by releasing a catch or detent

trip the fire alarm

4

: to raise (an anchor) from the bottom so as to hang free

5

a

: to pull (a yard) into a perpendicular position for lowering

b

: to hoist (a topmast) far enough to enable the fid to be withdrawn preparatory to housing or lowering

6

archaic : to perform (a dance) lightly or nimbly

trip

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: voyage, journey

b

: a single round or tour on a business errand

2

a

: an intense visionary experience undergone by a person who has taken a psychedelic drug (such as LSD)

b

: an exciting or unusual experience

the party was a trip

3

: absorption in or obsession with an interest, attitude, or state of mind

a guilt trip

on a nostalgia trip

4

: a faltering step caused by stumbling

5

: a stroke or catch by which a wrestler is made to lose footing

6

: error, misstep

7

: a quick light step

8

a

: the action of tripping mechanically

b

: a device for tripping a mechanism (such as a catch or detent)

9

: scene, lifestyle

Phrases

trip the light fantastic

: dance

Synonyms

Verb

• dash
• gallop
• jog
• run
• scamper
• sprint
• trot

Noun

• expedition
• journey
• passage
• peregrination
• travel(s)
• trek

Examples of trip in a Sentence

Verb

He deliberately tried to trip me.

The dancers tripped off the stage.

Noun

They got back from their trip yesterday.

a trip around the world

He was on an acid trip.

an ankle injury caused by a trip

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

And Brunson? All hearts in New York City skipped a beat when the Knicks’ captain and floor general tripped over a fan sitting court side and gingerly walked directly to the locker room. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024

Although quarterback Jared Goff tripped during the handoff exchange with running back David Montgomery, the Lions still managed to put Lions kicker Jake Bates in position for a 35-yard field goal attempt. —Chantz Martin, Fox News, 6 Dec. 2024

Noun

As for activities, two naturalist guides will lead groups of 10 each on hiking trips, snorkeling sessions, and kayaking excursions across the Galápagos, educating all on the diverse wildlife that thrives here, from the iconic blue-footed booby to marine iguanas. —Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 11 Dec. 2024

The couple also celebrated their 45th year anniversary with a trip to London and Paris in late November. —Esther Kang, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English trippen, from Anglo-French treper, triper, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English treppan to tread — more at trap

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Phrases Containing trip

• business trip
• day trip
• ego trip
• field trip
• guilt trip
• lay/put a guilt trip on
• on a power trip
• power trip
• road trip
• roll/trip off the tongue
• round trip
• round-trip ticket
• trip-hammer
• trip-hop
• trip up
• trip wire

Kids Definition

trip

1 of 2 noun

ˈtrip 

1

: an act of causing another to stumble or fall

2

a

: a traveling from one place to another : journey

a trip to Europe

b

: a brief errand or journey with a purpose that often takes place on a regular basis

a trip to the dentist

3

: error sense 4, misstep

4

a

: a quick light step

b

: a faltering step : stumble

5

a

: the action of releasing something mechanically

b

: a device (as a catch) for releasing a mechanism

trip

2 of 2 verb

tripped; tripping

1

: to move (as in dancing or walking) with light quick steps

2

a

: to catch one's foot against something so as to stumble

don't trip over the rock

b

: to cause to stumble

someone must have tripped him

3

a

: to make or cause to make a mistake

b

: to catch making a false statement, error, or blunder

questions designed to trip her up

4

: to release or start a device usually by moving a catch

tripped the fire alarm