trailer

UK: ˈtreɪlə | US: ˈtreɪlər

Definition

  1. n. a vehicle towed behind another, used for transporting goods or living quarters

  2. n. a short promotional video for a movie or TV show

  3. n. a person or thing that trails

Structure
trail <to drag or follow>er <noun suffix indicating agent or tool>
Etymology

The word "trailer" originates from the verb "trail," meaning "to drag or follow behind," derived from Middle English "trailen," which itself comes from Old French "trailler." The suffix "-er" transforms it into a noun denoting an object (e.g., a vehicle) or agent that performs the action of trailing. Initially used for vehicles towed behind another, its meaning expanded to include film previews (metaphorically "trailing" the main feature) in the early 20th century.

Examples

  1. We rented a trailer to transport our furniture across the country.

  2. The movie trailer revealed just enough to build excitement.

  3. The hiker’s backpack left a trailer of dust on the dry path.

  4. The boat trailer was parked near the lake.

  5. Watch the new trailer for the upcoming sci-fi series.