trace
gb/tɹˈeɪs/ us/tɹˈeɪs/
A2
English
~ 3000
visszakövet, lenyomoz, visszavezet, átrajzol, körberajzol, nyomnyi mennyiség, csipetnyi, fikarcnyi, szemernyi, szikrányi, nyom, végighúz, rajzol, végigsimít
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to trace [something] back to [source]
Police traced the phone call to a payphone downtown.
A rendőrség lenyomozta, hogy a hívás egy belvárosi nyilvános telefonfülkéből indult.
Scientists traced the disease to contaminated water.
A tudósok a betegséget a szennyezett vízre vezették vissza.
I finally traced the leak to a loose pipe under the sink.
Learner examples
The police traced the call to a small town.
A rendőrség lenyomozta, hogy a hívás egy kisvárosból érkezett.
We traced the smell to the kitchen.
A szagot a konyháig követtük vissza.
He traced the problem to a broken part.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'trace' with 'track'; 'trace' can be about finding an origin from evidence, not only physically following.
Meaning
Follow or discover by evidence
Collocations
trace a call
|trace the source
|trace a path
|trace a pattern
Synonyms
track (Often used for physically following a person, animal, or vehicle; 'trace' can also be about abstract origins.)
Antonyms
ignore (To not try to find or follow something.)
Themes
investigation
|crime
|history
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To find or follow something by looking at signs or information.
To follow, find, or discover the course or origin of something by examining evidence.
VERB
A2
2
átrajzol
B1
körberajzol
B1
Usage pattern:
to trace [a shape/picture] onto [surface]
She traced the picture onto a clean sheet of paper.
Átrajzolta a képet egy tiszta papírlapra.
Children traced the shapes to learn how to write letters.
A gyerekek átrajzolták az alakzatokat, hogy megtanulják, hogyan kell betűket írni.
I traced the pattern onto the fabric before cutting.
Learner examples
He traced the picture with a pencil.
Ceruzával átrajzolta a képet.
The child traced the letter 'A'.
A gyerek átrajzolta az „A” betűt.
She traced the shape onto the paper.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'trace' here means 'draw', but it specifically means copying lines from an existing image.
Meaning
Draw over an outline
Collocations
trace a drawing
|trace letters
|trace a design
Synonyms
copy (A more general term; 'trace' means copying by following lines directly.)
Antonyms
freehand draw (To draw without following existing lines.)
Themes
art
|crafts
|education
|arts_entertainment
Definition
To copy a picture by drawing over its lines.
To copy a picture, design, or shape by drawing over its lines or following its edges.
NOUN
B1
3
The test found trace amounts of lead in the water.
A vizsgálat nyomnyi mennyiségű ólmot mutatott ki a vízben.
There was only a trace of sugar left in the jar.
Már csak nyomnyi cukor maradt az üvegben.
He spoke without a trace of emotion.
Learner examples
There is a trace of salt in the soup.
Csak nyomnyi só van a levesben.
The police found a trace of blood.
A rendőrség nyomnyi mennyiségű vért talált.
She smiled without a trace of fear.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'trace' with 'track' in noun form; here it means 'a small amount', not 'a sign left behind'.
Meaning
A very small amount
Collocations
trace amounts
|a trace of blood
|traces of chemicals
Synonyms
hint (Slightly more figurative; 'trace' is often used in scientific or factual contexts.)
Antonyms
abundance (A large quantity, opposite of a very small amount.)
Themes
measurement
|science
|food
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very small amount of something.
A very small quantity of something, often too small to be easily measured or noticed.
NOUN
B1
4
nyom
A2
There were no traces of the camp after they left.
Miután elmentek, a tábornak semmi nyoma nem maradt.
Archaeologists found traces of an ancient settlement.
A régészek egy ősi település nyomaira bukkantak.
The thief left no trace behind.
Learner examples
We found traces of animals in the forest.
Állatok nyomait találtuk az erdőben.
The rain washed away all traces of footprints.
Az eső minden lábnyomot elmosott.
There were no traces of food on the plate.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with 'track'; 'trace' here is evidence left behind, not necessarily a path to follow.
Meaning
Mark or sign left behind
Collocations
leave no trace
|find traces of
|traces remain
Synonyms
sign ('Sign' is broader; 'trace' often refers to small or faint evidence.)
Antonyms
erasure (The removal of all signs or marks.)
Themes
history
|investigation
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A mark or sign that shows something was here before.
A mark, object, or other indication that shows that something existed or happened.
VERB
B2
5
Usage pattern:
to trace [something] with [finger/object]
She traced her name in the sand with a stick.
Egy bottal a homokba rajzolta a nevét.
His finger traced the scar on his arm.
Ujjával végigsimított a karján lévő hegen.
I traced the rim of my glass absentmindedly.
Learner examples
She traced a circle in the sand.
Kört rajzolt a homokba.
He traced the edge of the table with his hand.
Végighúzta a kezét az asztal szélén.
I traced my name on the paper.
Meaning
Outline with touch or tool
Collocations
trace a line with finger
|trace the edge
Synonyms
outline ('Outline' can mean describe generally; 'trace' here is physical and tactile.)
Antonyms
press hard (The opposite action in terms of touch pressure.)
Themes
touch
|art
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To move your finger or something else along the edge or surface of something lightly.
To draw or pass along the edge or surface of something lightly with one's finger or an instrument.
Grammar
Dictionary form
trace
IPA
GB/tɹˈeɪs/
US/tɹˈeɪs/
Syllables & stress
trace (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (trace)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: trace
- Plural: trace, traces
Verb
- Base: trace
- 3rd Person Singular: traces
- Present Participle: tracing
- Past: traced
Word family
Forms
Core family
traceable
adjective
Related words
retrace
verb B2
tracer
noun
Negative and opposite forms
untraceable
adjective
traceless
adjective
Advanced or less common
traceability
noun C1
Expressions
leave no trace
1/lˈiv nˈoʊ tɹˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
Cause no signs to remain
To not leave any signs that you were there or did something.
Examples
- The hikers left no trace after camping in the forest.
- The virus disappeared, leaving no trace in his body.
trace back to
1/tɹˈeɪs bˈæk tə/
phrasal verb
Find origin by investigation
To find where something started by looking at information or evidence.
Examples
- The outbreak was traced back to imported food.
- Her family roots trace back to Ireland.
trace over
1/tɹˈeɪs ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
Draw over existing lines
To draw over lines that are already there to make them clearer or to copy them.
Examples
- Trace over your pencil lines with ink to finish the drawing.
- She carefully traced over each letter.