trailer
TRAY-luh
Trailer (noun) means an unpowered vehicle towed behind a car or truck to carry cargo or equipment. Example: “We hired a small trailer to move the sofa to our new house.”
noun
1
An unpowered vehicle towed behind a car or truck to carry cargo or equipment.
"We hired a small trailer to move the sofa to our new house."
"The boat sat on a trailer behind the family car all the way to the coast."
"He hitched the trailer to his pickup truck."
2
A short preview of a film, show, or video game shown to build interest ahead of release.
"The studio released a teaser trailer, and fans argued about it all weekend."
"The trailer for the new sequel racked up millions of views overnight."
"Have you seen the trailer for that horror movie yet?"
3
A prefabricated home designed to be towed, typically installed permanently on a site.
"Their trailer sat on a concrete base beside a row of tall pine trees."
"Many retirees in the park own a trailer with a small porch built on."
"They lived in a trailer on the edge of town."
How to use trailer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA towed vehicle for hauling things, a mobile home, or a short film preview.
Common pairings
movie trailer
trailer park
tow a trailer
release a trailer
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Word forms
- Plural
- trailers
- Third person singular
- trailers
- Past tense
- trailered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We hired a small _____ to move the sofa to our new house.
Etymology
From trail + -er. The film-preview sense dates back to when previews were shown after ("trailing") the main feature, rather than before it as is standard today.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for trailer
See all rhymes for trailer →Frequently asked questions
What does “trailer” mean?
The word “trailer” means an unpowered vehicle towed behind a car or truck to carry cargo or equipment. In plain terms, a towed vehicle for hauling things, a mobile home, or a short film preview.
How do you pronounce “trailer”?
“Trailer” is pronounced TRAY-luh (/ˈtɹeɪlɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “trailer” in a sentence?
Here is “trailer” used in a sentence: “He hitched the trailer to his pickup truck.”
What part of speech is “trailer”?
“Trailer” is a noun.
Is “trailer” a common word?
“Trailer” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “trailer” have?
“Trailer” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an unpowered vehicle towed behind a car or truck to carry cargo or equipment.
What is the difference between a 'trailer' and a 'teaser'?
A trailer is a short preview of a film, show, or video game shown to build interest ahead of release. A teaser is usually a shorter, earlier version that gives just a glimpse, so a teaser hints at what is coming while a full trailer shows more.
What is the difference between a 'trailer' and a 'caravan'?
In the vehicle sense, a trailer is an unpowered vehicle towed behind a car or truck to carry cargo or equipment. A caravan is a trailer fitted out for living or sleeping in, so a caravan is a type of towed vehicle, but most trailers are for carrying loads.
Why is a film preview called a 'trailer' when it comes first?
The name 'trailer' comes from the practice of once showing these previews after the main film, so they trailed behind it. Today a trailer is shown before the feature, but the original name has stuck.
What is the difference between a trailer and an RV or camper?
A trailer in this sense is unpowered and must be towed behind another vehicle. An RV or motorhome has its own engine and drives itself, while a camper trailer is towed, which is the key difference between them.
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