tramp
/træmp/ (bre, ipa) · /træmp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtramp intransitive sense 1 & transitive sense 1 are also ˈträmp ˈtrȯmp/ (ame, mw)
tramp — noun
- trampsingular
- trampsplural
1. a person without a permanent home or regular income who travels between places,
a person without a permanent home or regular income who travels between places, often relying on gifts of food or coins from strangers.
Joon gave his leftover sandwich to a tramp who was sitting by the station entrance.
give + [food/money] + to a tramp
A tramp with a worn coat and muddy boots asked passersby for spare change.
The city built a new shelter where tramps could sleep and get a warm meal.
During the cold snap, volunteers handed out blankets to tramps on the streets.
用法筆記
This sense overlaps partly with 'hobo' (American) and 'vagrant' (more formal/legal). 'Tramp' tends to emphasise movement from place to place and asking for help, rather than working odd jobs.
常見錯誤
2. an insulting label for someone, typically a woman, whose sexual behaviour is con
an insulting label for someone, typically a woman, whose sexual behaviour is condemned or looked down on by the speaker.
The character in the novel was unfairly called a tramp by the townspeople.
call + someone + a tramp — pattern for using the word in reported speech
Aunt Rosa called the waitress a tramp after seeing her leave with two different men.
call + someone + a tramp — pattern embedded in a concrete gossip scene
"They called her a tramp just for wearing trousers," the old woman whispered to her granddaughter.
At the town meeting, the mayor's wife sneered that any woman seen alone at the tavern was a tramp.
- slut
equally offensive; also targets women's sexuality
- promiscuous person
neutral clinical description, not an insult
用法筆記
This sense is strongly offensive and degrading. Modern usage guides recommend avoiding it entirely. It is included here so learners recognise it when reading older literature or hearing it in media.
常見錯誤
3. the sound produced by people or animals walking with heavy steps, especially whe
the sound produced by people or animals walking with heavy steps, especially when several move together.
We heard the tramp of boots as the soldiers marched across the wooden bridge.
the tramp of boots — typical pattern describing military or group movement
The heavy tramp of feet on the stairs told Faisal that his roommate was back.
From the kitchen, Aylin could hear the tramp of her father's boots as he crossed the wooden porch.
The steady tramp of hikers echoed through the narrow canyon all morning.
文法句型
the tramp of [plural noun]
用法筆記
Often used with 'of' and a plural noun indicating the source of the sound. The tramp of hooves, the tramp of feet, the tramp of boots are all common patterns.
常見錯誤
4. a walk of several hours or more, taken for exercise, pleasure, or to reach a des
a walk of several hours or more, taken for exercise, pleasure, or to reach a destination.
Nadia and Élise went for a long tramp through the hills behind their village.
go for a tramp — common British collocation
After a five-hour tramp across the moor, they were exhausted but happy.
The weekly tramp along the riverbank became a tradition for the walking club.
Esteban packed water and snacks for the long tramp up the mountain trail.
文法句型
go for a tramp
a long tramp + through/across
用法筆記
Chiefly British English. In American English, 'hike' is the usual word for a long walk in nature. 'Tramp' in this sense is somewhat old-fashioned but still used in the UK for countryside walks.
常見錯誤
5. someone who covers long distances on foot, whether for recreation or as an ongoi
someone who covers long distances on foot, whether for recreation or as an ongoing lifestyle.
A tramp covered in dust strode into the village after walking forty miles that day.
tramp + distance walked in one day — emphasises long-distance journey
Adisa, a tramp who walked from one coast to the other each year, knew every shelter along the route.
tramp who walks [route] each year — demonstrates ongoing walking lifestyle
Gita joined a group of tramps who planned to walk from the mountains to the sea over three weeks.
The tramp's small tent was already set up by the river when Niran arrived at sunset.
- hiker
the more common modern word for someone walking for pleasure
- walker
neutral; a person who walks, often for exercise
- traveller on foot
descriptive phrase avoiding any negative connotations
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (HOMELESS PERSON): this sense does not imply homelessness or begging — simply a person who walks long distances. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
常見錯誤
tramp — verb
- tramppresent simple I / you / we / they
- tramps3rd person singular
- tramping-ing form
- trampedpast simple
1. to walk with slow, heavy steps, or to walk a long distance, especially over roug
to walk with slow, heavy steps, or to walk a long distance, especially over rough ground or with effort.
The group tramped through the forest for hours before reaching the lake.
tramp + through + [terrain] — describing movement across a landscape
Isabela tramped along the muddy path, her boots sinking with every step.
Marta and her brothers tramped across the snowy field to reach the cabin before dark.
Niran tramped wearily along the dusty road, stopping every hour to rest his aching feet.
The children tramped up and down the hallway, making a terrible noise.
文法句型
tramp + through/across/along [place]
tramp the [streets/hills/roads]
用法筆記
Most often used intransitively with a prepositional phrase showing direction (through, across, along, up, down). The transitive pattern (e.g. 'tramp the streets') is rarer and sounds literary or old-fashioned.
常見錯誤
tramp — adjective
- tramppositive
- trampercomparative
- trampestsuperlative
1. having no fixed home or steady direction, and moving from place to place.
having no fixed home or steady direction, and moving from place to place.
The novel tells the story of a tramp musician traveling across the country.
tramp + [occupation] — attributive pattern describing a wandering person
The town baker gave free bread to a tramp artist who painted murals on the old railway bridge.
give [something] to a tramp [occupation] — community interaction with itinerant person
Local fishermen shared their catch with a tramp sailor whose boat had sunk a year ago.
At the market, Hiro listened to a tramp poet recite verses about distant cities he had visited.
文法句型
tramp + noun
用法筆記
Nearly always used before a noun (attributive position). The noun it modifies is typically a role or type (musician, dog, sailor) that becomes itinerant. This sense is rare in everyday speech.