noun
Uncommon
tri
treye
Tri (noun) means (informal) Short for triathlon. Example: “She's training for her first tri next summer.”
noun
1
(informal) Short for triathlon.
"She's training for her first tri next summer."
"Are you doing the tri at the lake this weekend?"
"He bought a new bike just for his next tri."
2
(informal) Short for triangle.
"Tris and quads have different areas of functionality. In real-time graphics, tris are the norm because they provide the most basic geometric representations of planes."
— Tony Mullen, Claudio Andaur (2010)
"Cut the fabric into a tri shape for the flag."
"Draw a tri on the board and label each corner."
"The kids stuck a red tri onto the middle of their poster."
How to use tri
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual short form for words like triathlon or triangle.
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Word forms
- Plural
- tris
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She's training for her first _____ next summer.
Etymology
A shortening of longer words beginning with the "three" element that traces back to the ancient root for the number three.
Frequently asked questions
What does “tri” mean?
The word “tri” means (informal) Short for triathlon. In plain terms, a casual short form for words like triathlon or triangle.
How do you pronounce “tri”?
“Tri” is pronounced treye (/tɹaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tri” in a sentence?
Here is “tri” used in a sentence: “She's training for her first tri next summer.”
What part of speech is “tri”?
“Tri” is a noun.
Is “tri” a common word?
“Tri” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tri” have?
“Tri” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (informal) Short for triathlon.
What is the difference between tri and triathlon?
Tri is simply an informal, shortened form of triathlon, used casually among athletes and fans, while triathlon is the full, formal name of the multi-sport race combining swimming, cycling, and running. The shortened form is common in spoken or informal written contexts, such as training logs or casual conversation.
Can 'tri' also mean triangle?
Yes, tri is also an informal short form of triangle, so its meaning depends heavily on context, such as sports talk versus geometry or music discussion. Readers typically rely on surrounding words to determine whether tri refers to the race or the shape.
Is 'tri' appropriate to use in formal writing?
No, because tri is labeled informal, it is better suited to casual speech or writing, such as conversations among athletes, rather than formal documents, which should use the full words triathlon or triangle instead.
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