trick out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-LowInformal (colloquial, slang). Predominantly used in casual conversation and specific subcultures (e.g., automotive, fashion).
Quick answer
What does “trick out” mean?
To decorate, modify, or outfit something, especially a vehicle or person, in an elaborate, showy, or stylish manner.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To decorate, modify, or outfit something, especially a vehicle or person, in an elaborate, showy, or stylish manner.
To customize or accessorize with fancy, often ostentatious, additions. Can also refer to getting dressed up in fancy or eye-catching clothes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use it. In American English, it's strongly associated with car customization culture ('tricked-out ride'). In British English, the 'dress up' sense might be slightly more common, though the vehicle sense is well understood.
Connotations
Generally similar connotations of flashiness and customization. May sound slightly more niche or dated in some British contexts compared to American car culture usage.
Frequency
More frequent in American English, particularly in contexts related to vehicles, fashion, and youth culture.
Grammar
How to Use “trick out” in a Sentence
[Subject] trick out [Object] (with [something])[Object] be tricked out (with [something])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “trick out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's planning to trick out his van with a new sound system and custom paint.
- They were all tricked out in their football kits for the big match.
American English
- He spent thousands tricking out his truck with lift kits and LED lights.
- She tricked out her bike with neon wheels and a custom seat.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; 'tricked out' is not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not standard; 'tricked out' is not used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- He arrived in a tricked-out Ford Focus with blacked-out windows.
- Her tricked-out gaming setup has every accessory you can imagine.
American English
- Check out his tricked-out Camaro at the car show.
- The DJ had a completely tricked-out laptop covered in stickers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Very rare. Might appear in informal marketing for custom products.
Academic
Extremely rare to non-existent.
Everyday
Used informally to talk about customizing possessions (cars, bikes, gaming PCs) or getting dressed up.
Technical
Not a technical term. Used descriptively in automotive or fashion journalism.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “trick out”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing with 'trick into' (to deceive).
- Using the wrong preposition (e.g., 'trick out by' instead of 'trick out with').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While 'trick' alone usually means to deceive, the phrasal verb 'trick out' has a completely different meaning related to decoration and customization, with no sense of deception.
Not inherently. However, the synonym 'pimp out' is slang and can be considered vulgar or offensive in some contexts. 'Trick out' itself is informal but generally inoffensive.
Yes, it's common in informal tech contexts. You can 'trick out' your phone with new apps and widgets, or 'trick out' your social media profile with custom themes.
Both can be used for vehicles. 'Soup up' emphasizes performance enhancements (engine, speed). 'Trick out' emphasizes visual and accessory-based enhancements (paint, rims, sound system), though there is overlap.
To decorate, modify, or outfit something, especially a vehicle or person, in an elaborate, showy, or stylish manner.
Trick out is usually informal (colloquial, slang). predominantly used in casual conversation and specific subcultures (e.g., automotive, fashion). in register.
Trick out: in British English it is pronounced /trɪk ˈaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /trɪk ˈaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tricked out to the nines (emphatic version of 'dressed to the nines')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a magician (trick) pulling a rabbit out of a hat — it's a surprising, flashy transformation. To 'trick out' something is to give it a flashy transformation.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBJECT IS A PERFORMER / STATUS SYMBOL (Modifications are like a costume or stage make-up for an object, preparing it to show off).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'trick out' LEAST likely to be used naturally?