trace
trays
Trace (noun) means a small mark, sign, or amount left behind that shows something existed or happened. Example: “There was not a trace of the storm left by the following morning.”
noun
1
A small mark, sign, or amount left behind that shows something existed or happened.
"There was not a trace of the storm left by the following morning."
"Investigators found traces of blood at the scene."
"The old road had almost vanished, leaving only a trace through the grass."
2
A very small quantity of something.
"Add just a trace of salt, because the sauce is already quite savoury."
"The water tested clean, with only a trace of minerals in it."
"The soup had just a trace of chilli."
verb
1
To find the origin or path of something by following evidence.
"The engineers traced the fault in the heating system to a loose wire."
"Detectives traced the call to an address downtown."
"She traced her family history back to a small village in Ireland."
2
To copy a drawing by following its lines through thin, see-through paper.
"Use tracing paper to trace the flower, then colour it in carefully."
"I traced the pattern from the book so I could cut out the fabric."
"The kids traced the outline of the map for their project."
How to use trace
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tiny leftover sign of something, or the act of tracking something down (or copying a drawing).
Common mistake
Don't confuse the verb "to trace" (find the source of) with "to track" (follow ongoing movement) — they overlap but "trace" leans toward looking backward to an origin.
Common pairings
trace of
trace back to
without a trace
trace a call
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Word forms
- Plural
- traces
- Third person singular
- traces
- Past tense
- traced
- Comparative
- more trace
- Superlative
- most trace, tracest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There was not a _____ of the storm left by the following morning.
Etymology
From Old French trace ("track, outline"), from the verb tracier, meaning to follow a path.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for trace
See all rhymes for trace →Frequently asked questions
What does “trace” mean?
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).
How do you pronounce “trace”?
“Trace” is pronounced trays (/tɹeɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “trace” in a sentence?
Here is “trace” used in a sentence: “Investigators found traces of blood at the scene.”
What part of speech is “trace”?
Depending on how it is used, “trace” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “trace” come from?
The word “trace” comes from Old French. From Old French trace ("track, outline"), from the verb tracier, meaning to follow a path.
Is “trace” a common word?
“Trace” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “trace” have?
“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.
What is the difference between a "trace" and a "clue"?
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.
When should you use "a trace of" instead of "a bit of"?
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."
What is the difference between "trace" and "track" as nouns?
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.
What are common collocations with the noun "trace"?
"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.
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