Trace Definition & Meaning
trace
- noun
- a just detectable amount; "he speaks French with a trace of an accent"
- an indication that something has been present; "there wasn't a trace of evidence for the claim"; "a tincture of condescension"
- a suggestion of some quality; "there was a touch of sarcasm in his tone"; "he detected a ghost of a smile on her face"
- a drawing created by superimposing a semitransparent sheet of paper on the original image and copying on it the lines of the original image
- either of two lines that connect a horse's harness to a wagon or other vehicle or to a whiffletree
- a visible mark (as a footprint) left by the passage of person or animal or vehicle
- verb
- follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something; "We must follow closely the economic development is Cuba" ; "trace the student's progress"
- make a mark or lines on a surface; "draw a line"; "trace the outline of a figure in the sand"
- to go back over again; "we retraced the route we took last summer"; "trace your path"
- pursue or chase relentlessly; "The hunters traced the deer into the woods"; "the detectives hounded the suspect until they found him"
- discover traces of; "She traced the circumstances of her birth"
- make one's course or travel along a path; travel or pass over, around, or along; "The children traced along the edge of the dark forest"; "The women traced the pasture"
- copy by following the lines of the original drawing on a transparent sheet placed upon it; make a tracing of; "trace a design"; "trace a pattern"
- read with difficulty; "Can you decipher this letter?"; "The archeologist traced the hieroglyphs"
"Trace" in song lyrics
See how trace is used in real songs:
-
"Put aside spooks, Serch leaves a trace"
3rd Bass f/ Zev Love X (of KMD) — The Gas Face -
"Flee the scene without a trace"
9th Prince — Banned from the Radio -
"Steal the crowd like a crocodile, leavin a trace"
Antoinette — Hit 'Em With This
Words that rhyme with trace
Usage tips for "trace"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "trace" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for trace to find words that pair well.