noun

trigger

TRIH-guh

noun

The small lever pulled with a finger to fire a gun.

"He kept his finger off the trigger until he was ready to shoot."

Anything that sets off a chain of events or a reaction.

"The rumor was the trigger for the whole scandal."

"Stress is a common trigger for her migraines."

verb

To cause something to start happening.

"The announcement triggered a wave of protests."

To provoke a strong emotional reaction, especially a distressing one.

"The film contains scenes that could trigger some viewers."

How to Use Trigger

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe part of a gun you pull to fire it — or, more broadly, whatever sets off an event or a strong reaction.

Common pairings

pull the trigger trigger a response trigger warning

triggered past tense, triggers plural, triggers singular

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He kept his finger off the _____ until he was ready to shoot.

Originally "tricker," from Dutch trekker ("pull"), related to trekken ("to pull or drag").

Tigger jigger bigger digger gravedigger