trumpets
B1General (Neutral; can be literal in musical contexts, figurative in literary/formal contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A musical brass instrument with a flared bell and a bright, penetrating sound, typically consisting of a cylindrical tube folded into a compact shape.
1. A sound or announcement that is loud, clear, and declarative. 2. A metaphorical loud proclamation or celebration. 3. (Verb) To proclaim loudly or with fanfare.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The singular 'trumpet' is more common than the plural 'trumpets'. The plural often refers to multiple instruments, a section of an orchestra, or in figurative use, a series of loud proclamations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Minor differences exist in collocational preferences (e.g., 'blow the trumpet' vs. 'blow the trumpets' is marginally more frequent in UK English for figurative use).
Connotations
Identical. Connotes royalty, ceremony, military signals, or jazz music.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English in idiomatic expressions (e.g., 'blow one's own trumpet'). Overall frequency difference is negligible.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + blow/play + trumpetsTrumpets + sound/herald/announce + [Event/Arrival][Subject] + be heralded/announced + by trumpetsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “blow one's own trumpet (UK)/toot one's own horn (US): to boast about one's achievements”
- “a flourish of trumpets: an impressive introduction or announcement”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Figurative: 'The CEO trumpeted the company's record profits.' Used to describe bold announcements.
Academic
Used in historical/musicological contexts: 'Baroque trumpets lacked valves.'
Everyday
Literal: 'I heard trumpets from the marching band.' Figurative: 'She's always blowing her own trumpet.'
Technical
Music: 'The trumpets entered at bar 42 with the principal theme.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The tabloid press constantly trumpets every minor scandal.
- He never misses a chance to trumpet his own successes.
American English
- The company trumpeted its new product with a massive ad campaign.
- Critics trumpeted the film as a masterpiece.
adjective
British English
- He had a trumpets-blaring, look-at-me attitude that annoyed his colleagues.
American English
- The event began with a trumpet-blast fanfare.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The trumpets in the band are very loud.
- I can see three trumpets on the stage.
- A fanfare of trumpets announced the king's arrival.
- She plays the trumpet, but today there are six trumpets in the orchestra.
- The government's success was trumpeted across all the front pages.
- Muted trumpets provided a haunting backdrop to the film scene.
- His research, long ignored, is now being trumpeted as a major breakthrough in the field.
- The symphony's finale was underscored by a triumphant blast from the trumpets and trombones.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'TRUMP' + 'PETS'. Imagine loud, royal PETS (like elephants) being announced by a TRUMPet sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOUD ANNOUNCEMENT IS A TRUMPET BLAST (e.g., 'trumpeting a new discovery').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'труба' in the sense of 'pipe' or 'tube' for liquids/gases. 'Trumpet' is specifically a musical/wind instrument (труба, but context is key).
- The verb 'to trumpet' translates as 'трубить' or 'провозглашать', not a generic verb for 'to say'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'trumpets' as a singular noun (e.g., 'He plays the trumpets' is incorrect; use 'trumpet').
- Confusing 'trumpets' (instruments) with 'trumpets' (the verb form, 3rd person singular).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'trumpets' used figuratively?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Trumpet' is singular (one instrument). 'Trumpets' is the plural form (multiple instruments) or the third-person singular present tense of the verb 'to trumpet' (e.g., 'He trumpets').
It is an idiom meaning to boast. It is generally viewed negatively as showing excessive pride, though it can be used in a mildly critical or humorous way.
Yes, primarily as the verb meaning 'to announce loudly or proudly'. It can also refer to the sound they make ('the trumpets of Jericho').
Yes, common types include the B♭ trumpet, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn, and cornet, each with slightly different timbres and uses in classical, jazz, and brass band music.