trunk
Trunk (verb) means to cut something short or reduce it drastically. Example: “The gardener trunked the hedge back to a bare stump.”
How to Use Trunk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs a verb, trunk usually means to cut down or to bundle multiple communication lines together; as a noun it more commonly refers to a tree trunk, a large storage case, or (US English) a car boot.
The noun sense "car trunk" is American English; British English calls this the "boot."
Word Forms
trunked past tense, Trunks plural, trunks singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The gardener _____ the hedge back to a bare stump.
Etymology
From Old French tronc, meaning a tree trunk, alms box, or headless body, going back to Latin truncus, "cut off, maimed."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for trunk
See all rhymes for trunk →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “trunk” mean?
The word “trunk” means to cut something short or reduce it drastically. In plain terms, as a verb, trunk usually means to cut down or to bundle multiple communication lines together; as a noun it more commonly refers to a tree trunk, a large storage case, or (US English) a car boot.
How do you pronounce “trunk”?
“Trunk” is pronounced truhngk (/tɹʌŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “trunk” in a sentence?
Here is “trunk” used in a sentence: “The gardener trunked the hedge back to a bare stump.”
What part of speech is “trunk”?
“Trunk” is a verb.
Where does the word “trunk” come from?
The word “trunk” comes from Latin. From Old French tronc, meaning a tree trunk, alms box, or headless body, going back to Latin truncus, "cut off, maimed.".
Is “trunk” a common word?
“Trunk” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “trunk” have?
“Trunk” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cut something short or reduce it drastically.
What is the difference between trunk and truncate?
Both verbs mean to cut something short, but truncate is by far the more common choice in everyday and technical writing. Trunk as a verb, meaning to cut short or reduce drastically, is rare and appears mainly in specialist contexts, so truncate is usually the safer word.
What is a trunk line?
A trunk line is a shared connection that carries many signals at once between telephone exchanges or network hubs. It reflects the telecoms sense of the verb trunk: to carry many signals together over one shared set of lines rather than routing each separately.