trunks

[trˈʌŋks] /ˈtrəŋk How to pronounce trunk (audio)/ (ame, mw)

trunks — noun

1. the thick main wooden stems of trees, from which the branches grow

1.名詞A2
釋義

the thick main wooden stems of trees, from which the branches grow

例句

The storm snapped two large branches off the trunks of the pine trees.

branches off the trunks

Moss grew in dark green patches along the wet trunks by the stream.

同義詞
  • stems

    broader word for the main upright parts of plants, especially smaller ones

  • boles

    technical forestry term for the main woody parts of trees

反義詞
  • branches

    grow out from trunks rather than forming the central woody part

  • roots

    grow below the ground instead of above it

用法筆記

Use this plural form when you are talking about more than one tree. Distinguish from 'stems', which is used for smaller plants such as flowers and vegetables.

常見錯誤

❌The sunflower trunks bent in the wind.
✅The sunflower stems bent in the wind.
💡Small plants have stems, not trunks.

2. the main middle parts of people's or animals' bodies, excluding the head, arms,

2.名詞B2
釋義

the main middle parts of people's or animals' bodies, excluding the head, arms, and legs

例句

The dancers kept their trunks straight during the long balance exercise.

kept their trunks straight

Seat belts should lie across passengers' trunks, not across their necks.

同義詞
  • torsos

    more common everyday word for the body without the head and limbs

  • bodies

    broader word that can include the whole body, not just the middle part

用法筆記

This is mainly a formal or anatomical word. In everyday conversation, people more often say 'bodies', 'torsos', 'backs', or 'chests', depending on the context.

常見錯誤

❌The children hurt their trunks when they fell.
✅The children hurt their backs when they fell.
💡'Trunks' sounds formal or medical, not natural for everyday injuries.

3. the main sections of nerves or blood vessels before they split into smaller bran

3.名詞C1
釋義

the main sections of nerves or blood vessels before they split into smaller branches

例句

The scan showed that both nerve trunks were free from serious damage.

both nerve trunks

The surgeon traced the arterial trunks before closing the wound.

用法筆記

Technical term used in anatomy and medicine. It is usually paired with a modifier such as 'nerve', 'arterial', or 'pulmonary'.

4. the long tube-like noses of elephants, used for breathing, smelling, lifting thi

4.名詞A2
釋義

the long tube-like noses of elephants, used for breathing, smelling, lifting things, and spraying water

例句

The elephants lifted the branches with their trunks and carried them away.

lifted the branches with their trunks

Mud dripped from the baby elephants' trunks after the river bath.

同義詞
  • proboscises

    technical zoology word for long flexible noses or mouthparts

用法筆記

Only elephants have trunks. Other animals have noses, snouts, or proboscises instead.

常見錯誤

❌The tapirs raised their trunks to smell the air.
✅The tapirs raised their noses to smell the air.
💡Only elephants have trunks.

5. large strong boxes used for storing or carrying clothes and other personal thing

5.名詞B1
釋義

large strong boxes used for storing or carrying clothes and other personal things

例句

Old travel trunks stood in a row along the wall of the museum.

travel trunks

They found family letters inside the trunks in the attic.

同義詞
  • chests

    similar large storage boxes, but not always meant for travel

  • suitcases

    more modern travel bags, usually lighter and easier to carry

用法筆記

This sense often refers to older-style travel or storage boxes. In modern travel, people more often use suitcases.

6. covered storage spaces in cars where bags and other items are kept, usually behi

6.名詞B1
釋義

covered storage spaces in cars where bags and other items are kept, usually behind the seats

例句

Both trunks were full of camping gear before the weekend drive.

trunks were full of camping gear

The rental cars have large trunks for suitcases and folding strollers.

同義詞
  • boots

    British English word for the same storage spaces in cars

用法筆記

This is the American term. In British English, the same part of a car is called the 'boot'.

常見錯誤

❌The bicycles have trunks for school bags.
✅The bicycles have baskets for school bags.
💡'Trunks' are parts of cars, not bicycles.

7. short trousers worn by men or boys for swimming, usually made of light quick-dry

7.名詞B1
釋義

short trousers worn by men or boys for swimming, usually made of light quick-drying material

例句

Michael changed into his trunks before diving into the hotel pool.

changed into his trunks

The shop sells striped trunks beside the children's beach towels.

同義詞
  • swim shorts

    broader term that can include longer or looser styles

用法筆記

Always plural, even for one item. 'A pair of trunks' is the usual way to refer to one garment, and pool or beach context usually makes this swimming sense clear.

常見錯誤

❌He bought a new trunk for the pool.
✅He bought a new pair of trunks for the pool.
💡This clothing word is plural.

8. close-fitting men's underwear with short legs, between briefs and boxers in shap

8.名詞B2
釋義

close-fitting men's underwear with short legs, between briefs and boxers in shape

例句

Christopher bought cotton trunks in a pack of three at the mall.

cotton trunks

These trunks have a soft waistband and flat seams inside.

同義詞
  • briefs

    similar close-fitting underwear, but usually with shorter sides and no legs

  • boxers

    looser underwear with a baggier fit

反義詞
  • boxers

    looser and less fitted than trunks

用法筆記

This sense is also always plural. It refers to short, close-fitting underwear, not swimwear, and it is often contrasted with briefs or boxers.

常見錯誤

❌He wore trunks into the sea.
✅He wore swimming trunks into the sea.
💡Plain 'trunks' can also mean underwear, so add 'swimming' when the water sense matters.