trio
gb/tɹˈioʊ/ us/tɹˈioʊ/
B2
English
~ 7900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
group of three people or things
Three people or things that are seen as one group, often people who work or perform together.
Usage pattern:
a trio of [plural noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *a trio of three people*, which is usually redundant because 'trio' already means 'three'. It is also common to confuse 'trio' with 'threesome'; however, 'threesome' is often used for sexual situations, so 'trio' is safer in most contexts.
Synonyms
threesome (Also means a group of three, but can often have a sexual meaning, so it is more risky in general conversation.)
|
triple (Focuses more on the quantity 'three times' rather than on a close-knit group acting together.)
Antonyms
duo (Refers to a group of two people acting together, which contrasts with a trio as a group of three.)
Collocations
a trio of
|comedy trio
|jazz trio
|pop trio
|famous trio
|unlikely trio
Themes
numbers
|people
|arts
|entertainment
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The comedy trio sold out every show on their tour.
- A trio of investors backed the new tech startup.
- We ordered a trio of desserts to share at the end of the meal.
- The movie follows a trio of friends who go on a road trip across the country.
- An unlikely trio of a scientist, a teacher, and a musician came up with the idea.
Learner examples
- The band is a trio with three singers.
- I live with a trio of roommates in a small apartment.
- We saw a trio of dogs playing in the park.
- The story is about a trio of children who solve a mystery.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
2
piece of music for three performers
A piece of music that is written for three players or three musical parts.
Usage pattern:
[someone] composes/writes a trio
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse a 'trio' as a musical piece with a 'trio' as a band. In a concert program, 'trio' can mean the written piece, not only the group of players.
Synonyms
three-part piece (Clearly describes music with three parts but is longer and less standard as a set musical term than 'trio'.)
Antonyms
duet (A musical composition for two performers, contrasting with a trio for three performers.)
Collocations
string trio
|piano trio
|compose a trio
|Mozart trio
|chamber trio
Themes
music
|arts
|arts_entertainment
|education
Examples
- Mozart's piano trio in B-flat is one of my favorite chamber works.
- The composer wrote a new trio for flute, viola, and harp.
- The concert program includes a string trio followed by a symphony.
Learner examples
- She is learning a short trio on the violin with two friends.
- The music teacher asked us to play a trio in the school concert.
- He composed a trio for three guitars in only one week.
Grammar
Expressions
a trio of
1/ə tɹˈioʊ əv/
fixed phrase
exactly three of something
Used before a plural noun to mean there are three of that thing together as one group.
Examples
- A trio of experts will answer questions after the talk.
- The menu offers a trio of soups to try.
- The team signed a trio of new players this season.
power trio
1/pˈaʊɚ tɹˈioʊ/
fixed phrase
three-piece rock band lineup
A rock band with only three members, usually guitar, bass, and drums.
Examples
- The band started as a power trio before adding a keyboard player.
- Classic rock fans love the raw sound of a power trio on stage.