tricep: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “tricep” mean?
A common short form and colloquial term for the triceps brachii muscle, the large three-headed muscle on the back of the upper arm.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A common short form and colloquial term for the triceps brachii muscle, the large three-headed muscle on the back of the upper arm.
In informal contexts, 'tricep' is used to refer to the triceps muscle group itself, its appearance, strength, or condition. It is often used in fitness and bodybuilding contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word 'tricep' is used informally in both varieties. British English might show a slightly stronger preference for the formal 'triceps' in general contexts.
Connotations
Informal, gym/fitness culture. Its use outside of very casual or fitness-specific contexts can be marked as non-standard.
Frequency
More frequent in spoken language, especially in fitness communities, in both regions. Less common in edited prose.
Grammar
How to Use “tricep” in a Sentence
to work [one's] tricepto strain [one's] tricepto feel [a pain] in [one's] tricepVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tricep” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No standard verb form exists)
American English
- (No standard verb form exists)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form exists)
American English
- (No standard adverb form exists)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjective form exists)
American English
- (No standard adjective form exists)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except perhaps in the business of fitness equipment or apparel.
Academic
Avoided in formal academic writing; 'triceps' is standard.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation about exercise, injury, or physical appearance.
Technical
Used informally among fitness trainers and physiotherapists; formal documentation uses 'triceps'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tricep”
- Using 'tricep' in formal writing.
- Thinking 'triceps' is plural and referring to multiple muscles (e.g., 'My triceps are sore' is correct for one person's left and right muscles, but 'My tricep is sore' refers to one specific muscle).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a widely used informal, colloquial short form of 'triceps'. It is considered non-standard in formal writing but is common in speech, especially in fitness contexts.
'Triceps' is the standard singular noun (though it looks plural) for the three-headed arm muscle. 'Tricep' is a colloquial back-formation used as a singular noun. In formal contexts, always use 'triceps'.
No. The standard usage is to use 'triceps' for the muscle group on one arm (e.g., 'my left triceps'). The informal 'tricep' would fill the same role (e.g., 'my left tricep'). They are stylistic variants, not indicators of number.
Language evolves through analogy. Since 'bicep' is a common singular (from 'biceps'), speakers naturally apply the same pattern to 'triceps', dropping the 's' to create a perceived singular form 'tricep'. It's a process called back-formation.
A common short form and colloquial term for the triceps brachii muscle, the large three-headed muscle on the back of the upper arm.
Tricep is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Tricep: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtraɪ.sep/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtraɪ.sep/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In a trice (Note: this is unrelated; a pun/homophone trap)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'TRI-cep' for the 'TRI'angular shape of the three-headed muscle at the back of your arm, as opposed to the 'BI-cep' (two-headed) at the front.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A MACHINE WITH PARTS ('I need to work on my tricep'); STRENGTH IS SIZE ('He's got huge triceps').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the standard, formal term for the muscle group referred to informally as 'tricep'?