trespasser
/ˈtrespəsə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtrespæsər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtre-ˌspas How to pronounce trespass (audio) also -spəs How to pronounce trespass (audio)/ (ame, mw)
trespasser — noun
- trespassersingular
- trespassersplural
1. someone who enters private land or a building that does not belong to them witho
someone who enters private land or a building that does not belong to them without the legal right to do so
The farmer shouted at the trespasser who had climbed over his fence into the wheat field.
explicit context: fence, field — physical boundary crossing
Security guards patrol the construction site every night to keep trespassers away.
collocation: keep trespassers away
A rusty sign near the railway tracks warned trespassers that they would be prosecuted.
Talia spotted a trespasser walking through her uncle's orchard and called the police immediately.
Mira's dog started barking loudly at the trespasser who was trying to open the garden gate.
文法句型
often used with 'no' in signs: 'No trespassers'
用法筆記
Commonly appears on warning signs (e.g., 'Trespassers will be prosecuted'). The term implies that the person entered intentionally or recklessly, not by accident.
常見錯誤
2. a person whose actions violate moral or religious rules of right and wrong
a person whose actions violate moral or religious rules of right and wrong
In his sermon, the priest called anyone who lies to a friend a trespasser against trust.
grammar pattern: trespasser against [something]
The novel follows a trespasser who breaks every rule of his village and eventually seeks forgiveness.
Some older religious texts refer to those who commit harmful acts as trespassers against divine law.
Emre felt like a trespasser among the townspeople, hiding a secret he should not have kept.
- sinner
strongly religious — implies offence against God's commands, not general ethics
- transgressor
more formal — suggests crossing a clear boundary or rule
- righteous person
someone who follows moral or religious rules
文法句型
often followed by 'against' + noun group
用法筆記
This sense is archaic in everyday speech and mostly found in religious, literary, or formal writing. It is closely tied to the verb sense 'trespass against' (to sin).
常見錯誤
trespasser — verb
- trespasserpresent simple I / you / we / they
- trespassers3rd person singular
- trespassering-ing form
- trespasseredpast simple
1. to enter private land or a building without the owner's permission, which is aga
to enter private land or a building without the owner's permission, which is against the law
If you trespass on private property, the owner has the right to call the police.
grammar: trespass on + property
Nikhil did not realise he was trespassing when he walked through the gate to take photos.
pattern: realise + clause about trespassing
Hunters in this area must not trespass on farmland without the owner's written permission.
The broken fence made it easy for hikers to trespass onto the nature reserve by accident.
A group of teenagers was caught trespassing at the empty factory last Saturday night.
- respect boundaries
to stay within the limits that have been set
文法句型
trespass + on/upon + noun phrase (property/land)
用法筆記
Frequently appears on signs as the gerund form 'No trespassing'. The preposition 'on' introduces the specific location. In legal contexts, even unintentional entry can count as trespassing.
常見錯誤
2. to do something that is wrong according to religious or moral standards
to do something that is wrong according to religious or moral standards
The prayer asks God to forgive those who trespass against others.
literary/religious register: trespass against
In the traditional ceremony, the couple promised never to trespass against each other throughout their marriage.
The village elders taught that stealing from a neighbour is to trespass against the entire community.
Bao's grandmother often said that spreading rumours about someone trespasses against their dignity.
文法句型
trespass + against + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is archaic in everyday English and survives mainly in religious contexts, such as the Lord's Prayer ('forgive us our trespasses'). Outside religious language, use 'sin' or 'do wrong' instead.
常見錯誤
3. to go beyond what is fair or acceptable, especially by violating someone's right
to go beyond what is fair or acceptable, especially by violating someone's rights, privacy, or personal time
Some people worry that new surveillance cameras trespass upon the privacy of ordinary citizens.
abstract object: trespass upon privacy
The reporter was careful not to trespass on the family's grief while asking questions about the accident.
delicate context: trespass on grief/feelings
Theo felt that his manager had trespassed on his free time by sending late-night work emails.
A good teacher knows how to guide students without trespassing upon their private lives outside school.
- infringe on
common in legal and formal contexts — used for rights, copyright, freedoms
- encroach on
suggests gradual or creeping violation of boundaries
- impinge on
very formal — implies having a negative effect on something
- respect
to honour someone's rights, privacy, or boundaries
文法句型
trespass + on/upon + abstract noun (rights/privacy/time)
用法筆記
This sense is always followed by 'on' or 'upon' and takes an abstract object (rights, privacy, time, feelings). It is more formal than 'infringe on' or 'encroach on', which are preferred in everyday speech.