adj Uncommon

trailing

TRAY-lihng

Trailing (adj) means following behind, especially something attached and pulled along. Example: “The bride's trailing veil swept along the aisle.”

adj

Following behind, especially something attached and pulled along.

"The bride's trailing veil swept along the aisle."

Losing or behind in a competition or ranking.

"The trailing candidate conceded the election."

How to use trailing

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFollowing along behind, or currently losing/behind.

Common pairings

trailing edge trailing candidate trailing vine

Word forms

trailings plural

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Can you complete this real example?

The bride's _____ veil swept along the aisle.

Synonyms

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behind losing dragging following

Antonyms

facing leading

Related words

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Rhymes for trailing

filing ailing piling boiling ceiling railing sailing smiling failing mailing wailing toiling

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Frequently asked questions

What does “trailing” mean?

The word “trailing” means following behind, especially something attached and pulled along. In plain terms, following along behind, or currently losing/behind.

How do you pronounce “trailing”?

“Trailing” is pronounced TRAY-lihng (/ˈtɹeɪ.lɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “trailing” in a sentence?

Here is “trailing” used in a sentence: “The bride's trailing veil swept along the aisle.”

What is the opposite of “trailing”?

The opposite of “trailing” — its antonyms — are facing and leading.

What part of speech is “trailing”?

“Trailing” is an adjective.

Is “trailing” a common word?

“Trailing” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “trailing” have?

“Trailing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: following behind, especially something attached and pulled along.

What is the difference between trailing and losing?

Trailing specifically describes being behind or losing in a competition or ranking at a given point, often implying the situation could still change. Losing can refer to the final outcome of a contest, whereas trailing usually describes an ongoing or mid-contest state.

How is trailing used to describe physical objects?

Trailing can describe something following behind and being pulled along, such as a trailing cable or a trailing vine, meaning it hangs or extends behind the main object.

Can trailing be used in sports commentary?

Yes, trailing is commonly used in sports commentary to describe a team or player who is behind in score or ranking, such as 'the team is trailing by ten points.'

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