trail

A narrow path through the countryside, often used for walking or riding.

• This trail leads to the lake.
• We followed a steep mountain trail.
• Are dogs allowed on these hiking trails?

Similar words: path, footpath, track

Common phrases: hiking trail, mountain trail, follow a trail

A line of marks or other signs showing where someone or something has been.

• There was a trail of muddy footprints.
• The plane left a white trail across the sky.
• Police followed the paper trail to a foreign bank.

How to use it: a trail of something (The snail left a trail of slime.)

Similar words: track, trace

Common phrases: trail of blood, paper trail, leave a trail

A route connecting places visited for a particular activity.

• The candidate is back on the campaign trail.
• We spent Sunday exploring the local wine trail.
• The heritage trail connects six historic villages.

Similar words: route, circuit

Common phrases: campaign trail, wine trail, heritage trail

The route an animal has taken, which a hunter follows.

• The hunter followed the deer trail.
• The dogs lost the animal’s trail near the river.
• Fresh footprints showed us which trail to follow.

Similar words: track

Common phrases: deer trail, animal trail, follow a trail

To move behind someone or something, following where they go.

• The dog trailed me home.
• A detective trailed the suspect through town.
• The younger children were trailing behind us.

How to use it: trail behind someone/something (The children trailed behind their father.)

Similar words: follow, tail

Opposites: lead

Common phrases: trail someone, trail behind someone, trail a suspect, trail an animal

To pull something behind you along the ground or through water.

• Do not trail your coat in the mud.
• He trailed a rope behind the boat.
• She trailed her hand in the cool water.

How to use it: trail something in something (She trailed her fingers in the water.)

Similar words: drag

Common phrases: trail something behind, trail a rope, trail a coat

To leave a line of something behind as you move.

• The plane trailed smoke.
• The injured deer trailed blood through the snow.
• Our muddy boots trailed dirt across the kitchen.

Similar words: leave behind

Common phrases: trail smoke, trail dust, trail something behind

To show or describe part of something before it is fully released.

• The channel will trail the new series tonight.
• Her latest film was trailed on television.
• The main findings were trailed before the report appeared.

Similar words: preview, promote

Common phrases: trail a film, trail a report, trail a programme