trolley
Trolley (noun) means a small cart pushed by hand, used for carrying shopping, luggage, or food and drink. Example: “She wheeled the trolley up and down the supermarket aisles.”
How to use trolley
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA wheeled cart, or (in American English) a tram.
In British English a "trolley" usually means a shopping or luggage cart; in American English it more often means a streetcar/tram.
Word forms
trolleyed past tense, trollied past tense, trolleys singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wheeled the _____ up and down the supermarket aisles.
Etymology
From early-19th-century dialect (Suffolk), probably from "troll" ("to trundle, roll") plus the diminutive ending "-ey."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for trolley
See all rhymes for trolley →Frequently asked questions
What does “trolley” mean?
The word “trolley” means a small cart pushed by hand, used for carrying shopping, luggage, or food and drink. In plain terms, a wheeled cart, or (in American English) a tram.
How do you use “trolley” in a sentence?
Here is “trolley” used in a sentence: “She wheeled the trolley up and down the supermarket aisles.”
What part of speech is “trolley”?
“Trolley” is a noun.
Where does the word “trolley” come from?
The word “trolley” dates back to around 1800. From early-19th-century dialect (Suffolk), probably from "troll" ("to trundle, roll") plus the diminutive ending "-ey.".
Is “trolley” a common word?
“Trolley” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “trolley” have?
“Trolley” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small cart pushed by hand, used for carrying shopping, luggage, or food and drink.