Reading Theme:
Trailer Meaning: Definition & Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：movie preview (Trailer)
Trailer
/ˈtreɪlər/
n.
A short video that shows exciting parts of a movie, TV show, or game before it is released, to make people want to watch it.
movie preview
➕
/ˈmuːvi ˈpriːvjuː/
n.
A short promotional video showing exciting parts of a film, TV show, or game before its release, designed to attract viewers.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Derived from 'trail' (to follow) + '-er' (agent or thing), meaning something that follows behind.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of a 'trail' of anticipation: a movie trailer leaves you wanting more, like a vehicle trailer follows the car.
📖 Example
I saw the trailer for the new superhero film on social media, and it looks amazing!
I saw the trailer for the new superhero film on social media, and it looks amazing!
🔗 Collocations
release a trailer – to launch a promotional preview
movie trailer – a short preview of an upcoming film
teaser trailer – a very brief early trailer to generate buzz
🔄 Synonyms
preview (n.) – A short view or showing of something before it is publicly available.
sneak peek (n.) – An early or unofficial preview of something.
🚫 Antonyms
full film (n.) – The complete movie, as opposed to a short excerpt.
🌱 Derivatives
trail (v.) – to follow or drag behind
trailblazer (n.) – a pioneer or innovator
📖 Cultural Story
Originally used for a vehicle pulled behind another, the cinema sense arose in the 1910s when previews were shown after the main film (trailing it), later moved to before.
Meaning 2：towed vehicle (Trailer)
Trailer
/ˈtreɪlər/
n.
A vehicle with no engine that is pulled behind a car or truck, used for carrying things or sometimes for living in temporarily.
towed vehicle
➕
/toʊd ˈviːɪkl/
n.
A vehicle without an engine that is pulled by a car or truck, used for transporting goods, equipment, or as a temporary living space.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
We rented a small trailer to attach to our car so we could move all the furniture to our new apartment.
We rented a small trailer to attach to our car so we could move all the furniture to our new apartment.
🔗 Collocations
cargo trailer – a trailer used for transporting freight
travel trailer – a trailer designed for camping or living
tow a trailer – to pull a trailer behind a vehicle
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
truck (n.) – A motor vehicle designed to carry cargo, with its own engine.
🌱 Derivatives
trailer park (n.) – a community of mobile homes
trailer hitch (n.) – the device that attaches a trailer to a vehicle
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