trace

The word “trace” means a small mark, sign, or amount left behind that shows something existed or happened. In plain terms, a tiny leftover sign of something, or the act of tracking something down (or copying a drawing).

“Trace” is pronounced trays (/tɹeɪs/ in IPA).

Here is “trace” used in a sentence: “Investigators found traces of blood at the scene.”

Depending on how it is used, “trace” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “trace” comes from Old French. From Old French trace ("track, outline"), from the verb tracier, meaning to follow a path.

“Trace” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Trace” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small mark, sign, or amount left behind that shows something existed or happened.

A "trace" is a small mark, sign, or amount left behind showing that something existed or happened, and it exists whether or not anyone is looking for it. A "clue" is information used deliberately to solve a problem or mystery, so a trace can serve as a clue but a clue need not be a physical remnant.

Use "a trace of" to stress that the quantity is extremely small, barely detectable, as in "a trace of salt" or "a trace of doubt." "A bit of" is more casual and suggests a small but noticeable amount rather than the near-invisible quantity implied by "trace."

As a noun, a "trace" is any small sign or remnant that something was present, and it may be a single mark or a faint amount. A "track" usually implies a continuous line or series of marks showing a path of movement, such as footprints or tyre tracks.

"Trace" often appears in phrases like "without a trace," "trace amounts," "a trace of a smile," and "leave no trace." These uses draw on both senses of the word: a sign that something happened and a very small quantity of something.