trunks
B2Informal (clothing sense); Formal/Technical (other senses).
Definition
Meaning
A pair of short trousers worn for swimming or sports.
The main stem of a tree; a large box for transporting or storing items; a circuit or conduit for electrical connections; a major blood vessel (usually in singular 'trunk').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is plural in form but typically refers to a single garment or item. In the clothing sense, it functions as a 'plural-only noun' like 'trousers'. The other senses (tree, box, etc.) are typically pluralised from the singular 'trunk' to indicate multiple items.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In BrE, 'swimming trunks' is the standard term. In AmE, 'swim trunks' is more common. For storage, BrE prefers 'trunk' (car boot), whereas AmE uses 'trunk' for both car storage and a large box.
Connotations
Primarily associated with men's or boys' swimwear. The 'tree trunk' sense is neutral. The 'storage trunk' sense can evoke travel, history, or attic storage.
Frequency
The clothing sense is high frequency in summer/travel contexts. The 'tree trunk' sense is medium frequency. Other senses are lower frequency or technical.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + put on/wear + trunks[Determiner] + pair of + trunks[Noun] + trunks + [Prepositional Phrase]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pack your trunks”
- “nothing but a pair of trunks”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, unless in retail (e.g., 'summer stock includes swim trunks').
Academic
Used in biology (e.g., 'elephant trunks'), dendrology (tree trunks), or anatomy (nerve trunks).
Everyday
Primarily for swimming attire. 'I need to buy new trunks for the holiday.'
Technical
In electrical engineering (trunk lines), telecommunications (trunking), or anatomy (vascular trunks).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He trunks the electrical cables along the skirting. (rare technical use)
American English
- The telecom company trunks the lines for efficiency. (rare technical use)
adverb
British English
- No adverbial use.
American English
- No adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- No common adjectival use.
American English
- No common adjectival use.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He put on his trunks and went to the pool.
- The tree has a thick trunk.
- I can't find my swimming trunks anywhere.
- They found old photos in a trunk in the attic.
- His swim trunks were still damp from yesterday's dip.
- The main trunks of the railway system were built in the 19th century.
- The nerve trunks were carefully dissected during the procedure.
- He packed his worldly possessions into a couple of steamer trunks and set off for the New World.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an elephant's TRUNK being big and sturdy; a tree TRUNK is similar. Now imagine cutting that trunk into short pieces - those are your swimming TRUNKS (short, sturdy legwear).
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR THE BODY (clothing as a container); FOUNDATION/SUPPORT (tree trunk as basis for branches).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите как 'багажник' (car boot) в контексте одежды.
- В значении одежды - всегда 'плавки'. 'Сундук' обычно 'trunk' (singular).
- Осторожно с 'торс' (torso) - это другая часть тела.
Common Mistakes
- Using a singular verb with the clothing sense (e.g., 'My trunks is wet' - incorrect).
- Confusing 'trunk' (singular storage) with 'trunks' (plural garment).
- Misspelling as 'truncs'.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'trunks' used to refer to clothing?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is plural in form but refers to a single item of clothing, similar to 'trousers' or 'shorts'. It takes a plural verb (e.g., 'My trunks are blue').
Typically, 'trunks' refers specifically to garments worn for swimming, made of quick-dry material. 'Shorts' are general casual or sportswear, usually made of cotton or similar fabric, not designed for swimming.
While traditionally associated with men's swimwear, the term can be used for any similar, shorts-style swimwear regardless of gender. Women's styles are often called 'swim shorts' or 'board shorts'.
There is no common singular form for the clothing item. You refer to 'a pair of trunks'. The word 'trunk' singular refers to a tree part, a storage box, or an elephant's nose.