track record: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “track record” mean?
A documented history of past performance or achievements in a specific area.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A documented history of past performance or achievements in a specific area.
Used to assess reliability, competence, or success based on verifiable past actions, often in professional, academic, or competitive contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; minor variations in pronunciation and occasional spelling (e.g., 'chequered' in UK vs. 'checkered' in US, though both are accepted).
Connotations
Similarly associated with evaluation, credibility, and historical performance in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in British and American English, widely used in business, media, and everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “track record” in a Sentence
track record in [field/area]track record of [achievement/behavior]with a track record ofhave a track recordVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to evaluate companies for investment or individuals for hiring based on past successes or failures.
Academic
Refers to a researcher's publication history, institutional performance, or educational achievements.
Everyday
Casually discusses someone's past behavior, e.g., 'He has a track record of forgetting appointments.'
Technical
In sports, denotes athletes' or teams' statistical performance history; in law, refers to legal precedents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “track record”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “track record”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “track record”
- Using incorrect prepositions, e.g., 'track record for success' instead of 'track record of success'.
- Treating it as a verb, e.g., 'to track record something' is incorrect; it's a noun phrase.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can describe poor performance, e.g., 'a track record of failures' or 'a dismal track record'.
It is neutral to formal; common in business and academic writing but also used in everyday conversation.
Common collocations include 'proven track record', 'solid track record', 'excellent track record', and 'track record of success'.
'Track record' focuses on historical performance and outcomes, while 'résumé' or 'CV' is a document listing qualifications, experience, and skills; they overlap but 'track record' is more evaluative.
A documented history of past performance or achievements in a specific area.
Track record: in British English it is pronounced /træk ˈrek.ɔːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /træk ˈrek.ɚd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to have a track record”
- “track record speaks for itself”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a race track where records of times are kept; a 'track record' is like a history of races run, showing past performance.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVEMENTS AS MARKS ON A PATH; past successes or failures are like footprints or signs left along a trail, indicating consistency.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'track record' most appropriately used?